Bent Rail

[Mookie]

Driver had to keep backing up everytime a loaded coal train went over this particular track - and yes the authorities were called. Couldn't stick around and see what, if anything was done, but raises question.

This track is in a soft spot. They ballast it and it still dips. It has now dipped so much there is a definite break in the rails. I could see it with my not so good eyes! The cars really rocked and dipped up and down over it. They are leaving town or coming into the yard, so no one is going very fast.

I know we have discussed this before, but no one seems to be too excited about it except me. Will this cause problems right away, or could it take a little while to finally cause a derailment and get someone's attention.

(Aside to MC - this is on St Joe line - one closest to Millie - just west of the crossing and between the crossing and the switch heater - about 60 feet down the track. )

Should I go back to nite and see and report it again? (Another train watcher also reported it!. We called 1-800 call BNSF in Fort Worth, I think, and tell someone 1500 miles away you have a problem 60 feet away!)

Hand Wringer...

Mook

[Modelcar]

....Jen, if someone doesn't do something about the broken rail situation you are describing then I would imagine someone else will be in the business of "hand wringing......" and you will be able to watch them work to clean up the mess and spend money and say "I told you so"....I believe I have seen you comment about this on here before or was that at the crossing that had such a low spot...
Rail out of shape, one would think would set off alarm bells as it has the potential to make something happen and when it does, it has expensive consequences.

[CShaveRR]

The question it raises with me, Sis, is whether this is on the area that was recently rebuilt. Something's definitely wrong if a recently-rebuilt stretch of track has gotten that bad this quickly.

I would think that if the trackage is that distorted the crews couldn't help but notice it; they've probably turned it in, too. If there is actually a break in the rail itself...well, at a slow speed, 60 feet might be a safe distance away.

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

The question it raises with me, Sis, is whether this is on the area that was recently rebuilt. Something's definitely wrong if a recently-rebuilt stretch of track has gotten that bad this quickly.

I would think that if the trackage is that distorted the crews couldn't help but notice it; they've probably turned it in, too. If there is actually a break in the rail itself...well, at a slow speed, 60 feet might be a safe distance away.

BC - this is 60 feet down the track west (left) of where we were sitting. It is the rail that is closest to where we sit.....and you know we sit pretty close, since we are in a business parking lot.

The rail they repaired is all to the east (right) of that. They worked in the area all around there on different tracks putting in new switch heaters on the left side of the crossing, but have done nothing in that area except stuff more ballast under that particular part of the tracks. It is a new dip, but looks incredibly dangerous to me/us. (the guy parked next to us kept backing up too - each time a train headed down that track. )

I think if it is still bad and if I do go there again after work, I am going to call the local gendarme and have them contact BNSF!

Still wringing my hands!

SJ

[JoeKoh]

Mookie
what you did was best to call bnsf about the problem. if you know where your local train and or yardmaster is it might be best to say pardon me but.....If I see any problems I usually let the trainmaster know.
stay safe
Joe

[Anonymous]

MASTER TRAINER
your right mookie it was a good thing to call bnsf because that could cause a derailment and that would not be good.

[Anonymous]

CALL THE F.R.A. THEY WILL COME DOWN AND INSPECT IT..

[edblysard]

Mookie..
Is the rail really broken, or is it a lose joint bar?

If its broken, then drive to the yard office, and tell them....
Broken rail can sit there all day long, doing just fine, and then just give way...do not be anywhere near it when it does.

If the railroad cops stop you on the way to the office, explain to them where you are going, and why...offer to show them, bet if you do show them, there will be a MOW crew there pronto...

If the roadbed is so bad that the rail broke, they need to know that, and about the rail being broken.

Ed

[mudchicken]

Mooks - Wake-up call for Division Engineer Ron Bacon 402-458-XXXX at the Lincoln depot to see if his roadmaster needs a little friendly shove? .......or does the track supervisor need a white cane?[:-,][:-,][:-,]

...hopefully not the bacon we smell in the morning at the diner!

-Problem solved, number goes back to obscurity.-mc

[kenneo]

You would have needed to call Fort Worth at any rate, but the best way to get the problem resolved was suggested by Ed - go make a personal visit to the Ydmstr. If the Special Agent won't let you get that far, make him go with you to the location. That will get results.

If that don't work, Mudchicken supplied the magic. When the Division Engineer calls the Roadmaster on a subject such as this, it affects his next review in a non-positive direction.

As short of money as the SP was even in the late 1980's, one thing that Division hammered at us was if a Foamer or intrested public person called in a defect, it got inspected ASAP - you dropped everything you were doing - even if it was the station agent (me) that did the inspecting. If it indeed was something that needed attention, the inspecting person made a judgement call and the on-call roadmaster would then decide how fast to respond. Sometimes the Rdmstr would give further inspection instructions and you had to go back and get more scoop.

After all that, the person to whom the report was made called the reporting party and filled them in and thanked them about their intrest and effort. To not make the call would result in a few demerrits.

[Mookie]

Dear BNSF: Thank you for fixing your broken rail! It has a lot of new ballast and a whole pile of it nearby, just in case. It has a nice, large brace over the broken section and looks very secure. Now I can quit wringing my hands!

There is the small matter of my $3.75 spent on your 800 # to reach you, however. I use a calling card and they charge for those just like any toll #. So if you would be so kind as to reimburse me for that amount - stock certificates would do. Lots of them, would be nice!

And a big thank you to all the nice people on the forum that gave me information for the next crisis. I am sure it won't be too long in the making.

Mookie[^]

[tree68]

Had a similar experience a while back. Didn't call the RR directly - the word went by way of my daughter who knows a signal maintainer. Word filtered back via the same path that there was a problem there. They fixed it, but I know it's gotten attention several times since.

The point in question is right next to a crossing, and has a compromise joint to boot. I recall reading that crossing were especially bad for this type of problem as they can't go along and dress up the entire area, and they can't jack the track very easily.