Today, Tuesday 19, 2016 I saw a Loram rail grinder unit sitting on a siding next to the UP mainline in Owatonna, MN. The consist was the lead engine, tank car, 4 rail gringing cars, two tank cars, generator car and the last car (not sure of the purpose).I did not see any berthing or dining cars. I recall reading an article in Trains magazine a few years ago focusing on the Loram rail grinder and the crew that worked and lived on it. My question is: Do crews no longer live on the rail grinder or could this have been a local grinder where they go home at work's end?
The grinders I have worked with over the years always took their employees to a motel. The railroad employees did the same thing. However, some grinders that worked multiple shifts did have bunks. Grinders are a very dirty place and certainly some place you don't want to live on.
The grinder had two crews when I worked with them. One was the operating crew which also handled stone changes and any minor repairs. The second crew did more major repairs, handled inventory, conducted full stone changes, ran errands, etc. They generally supported the operations with several vehicles.
The car that often looks like a caboose is the work control car. It houses the computers and controls to operate the grinders and watch the patterns. It also is generally where all contracts are held, any special parts that might be needed, and is where much of the communications takes place. Basically, it is the office and is generally positively pressurized to keep the interior clean (cleaner?).
Ever see one of those things working at night? WOW!
Had to work those things often at night in bigger urban areas because the locals don't savvy what's going on. Our railroad police often were talking to 911 call centers in advance to warn them about the strange reports soon to follow from often well intentioned, but totally clueless callers.
The main track of the Pasadena Sub in LA in the median of the 210 Freeway when it was Santa Fe owned was always a thrill....With the traffic reporters warning about"boxcars being dragged back and forth with the wheels on fire and showering sparks everywhere"....and then there were the AQMD zealots.
tincansailor Today, Tuesday 19, 2016 I saw a Loram rail grinder unit sitting on a siding next to the UP mainline in Owatonna, MN. The consist was the lead engine, tank car, 4 rail gringing cars, two tank cars, generator car and the last car (not sure of the purpose).I did not see any berthing or dining cars. I recall reading an article in Trains magazine a few years ago focusing on the Loram rail grinder and the crew that worked and lived on it. My question is: Do crews no longer live on the rail grinder or could this have been a local grinder where they go home at work's end?
tincansailor: Watching a rail grinding train in operation can be pretty interesting, much more so when it is working at night...It is best observed from a distance. THey can produce not only sparks, but shards of metal and debris sent flying from the grinding stones.
Here is a linkedsite for LORAM @ http://www.loram.com/
That you saw some of their equipment in Minnesota would not necessarily be unusual; Their Corp HQ is located in a Western Suburb of Minneapolis, at Hamel.
Then there is Harsco Rail Services @ http://www.harscorail.com/
They are located in Columbia,SC, and other locations. Part of their Corp history includes an acquisition of the Fairmount Rail {The MOW 'speeders'} that were made in Fairmount, Mn.
....and don't try to pick up the Speno droppings...Just stay out there well beyond the fences and hum along to the 128 stone grinding show...
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
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