Little used FEC rail spur being switched

[CMStPnP]

If I am not mistaken it looks like concrete ties on that little used rail spur....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR3zZY4y_MI

 

[cx500]

Looks like conventional wood ties and spikes to me.  Don't be misled by the color.

[ChuckCobleigh]

Look at shape, shoulder of rail pad, clips holding rail.  Sure looks like concrete ties to me.  I don't think I have ever seen wood ties adzed down away from the rail contact areas.

[edblysard]

I think the fan is mistaken, the spur is not abandoned, in fact, it looks like it is used frequently….I would guess the plant is switched at night under normal circumstances, which is why it is “rare” for the fans to see it.

We switch our local water treatment plant at night, it is just off one of our yards, and doing it at night lessens the interference with yards switching work.

 

As for how the ROW looks, keep in mind that is Florida, and like Houston, mowing the grass every week is a year-round deal, in fact, the grass is a little shorter than I would expect, and no weeds.

[samfp1943]

ChuckCobleigh

Look at shape, shoulder of rail pad, clips holding rail.  Sure looks like concrete ties to me.  I don't think I have ever seen wood ties adzed down away from the rail contact areas.

 

  Looking at the video, it certainly looks as Chuch Cobleigh describe it.

I suspect as [Ed B. stated] switching of the Water Treatment Plant is done on an 'as needed' basis. {Empty car out, Full car in}.    

    I would suspect that they do it (Switching) in an 'off hours' period, so as not to disrupt the flow of the treated warter to their customers.               I would also imagine, that in such close proximity to occupied housing, the Switch Crews are as quiet as possible, so they generate a minimum of complaints(?) 

[BaltACD]

Many plants don't want railroads switching in the plant when the company's employees are actually working.  Night switcing suits many customers.

[LensCapOn]

What was most noticable was how quickly the one car train accelerated.

 

It does not match with my memory.

[dubch87]

Looks like concrete ties in Google Street View.

[cx500]

I stand corrected; definitely concrete ties.  (Although the headblocks for the turnout are wood.)

[edblysard]

If memory serves me, didn’t FEC go on a tie replacement program a few years back, something to do with the fact one of their customers made the ties, and they re-did a lot of main line and spurs with them?

 

Could have sworn Trains had an article about it…..been a few years.

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

That was probably within one of the general overview articles on the FEC which appear from time to time - every 10 years or so.

- Paul North.  

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Second shift or night switching is hardly unusual.  EJ&E switched a steel warehouse where I worked one summer during second shift, some parts of the warehouse were idle on that shift.  C&NW used to switch at night in the industrial area around Goose Island because of a fair amount of street running on some spurs and leads.