Whilst watching the Deshler rail cam just now, we saw MOW working on the diamond with a big torch and shovels. One fellow even pulled out a putty knife.
They were apparently scraping gunk off the rails.
As background, the diamond in Deshler is now a flange-bearing, both directions. That means that while passing over the diamond the wheels are riding on their flanges, not on the treads. This eliminates the usual banging that occurs on diamonds, a real maintenance headache.
It would appear that since the wheel treads are not touching the rails, a lot of junk builds up on top of the rails at that point. This appears to get packed pretty solid - the crew was using the torch to heat the mess, then using the shovels to scrape it off - not to mention that putty knife.
This raises the question - is this a problem for such frogs? Perhaps an unanticipated side effect? What would be the issue if left untouched?
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Thought flange bearing frogs were for one way low speed diamonds - not two way normal speed installations.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
BaltACD Thought flange bearing frogs were for one way low speed diamonds - not two way normal speed installations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5eIj7-j0is
The clunks you hear are adjacent joints, not the diamond itself.
A little more engine crater on the ground, welders actually spending more time on the rest of their territory and a few less sharp flanges picling switches...Good deal.
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