Trestles

[mudchicken]

There are now FRA edicts out there in the 49CFR214's, prompted by California's G.O. 119-120 and the fall safety/scaffolding rules, but what you are looking at more often than not are the older bridges that have been "grandfathered" -in. They don't get a walkway added (on at least 1 side) until it's renewal time or major repair time.

Ditto Jamie and dd, if a switch is within 1000 feet of a bridge, there will be walks and handrails. (each railroad standard was similar but different)

[jchnhtfd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dldance

when I see a small trestle with a walk way I look for near by switches. Often I find one, since walkways are more used in switching than for maintenance.

dd

I might add that most really long trestles or bridges do have platforms from time to time to move out of the way. However, with regard to maintenance, you are supposed to get a line up so you can tell if a train may be along, and you simply aren't supposed to be out there anywhere near the probable time of a train -- radios are great for that. If you have to be out there, you are supposed to flag the train...

dd is just right on the switches bit, as the crew will have to walk the train to break it or check it. Just keep in mind that these days 'nearby' could be a good mile or more away, given the length of many freights today.

[dldance]

when I see a small trestle with a walk way I look for near by switches. Often I find one, since walkways are more used in switching than for maintenance.

dd

[Modelcar]

....Some high trestles sure do look questionable for anyone who would be required to "walk" the unit....Note some seem to have extended portions out providing some "room" for someone out on it and being caught by a train...a way to step to the side while the train would pass....I've been up on the Salisbury Viaduct near Meyersdale, a WM abandoned unit and now taken over by the Allegeney Trail and I'd not care to be up on it as it was as a railroad operation. It is 80' or so high and 12 or 1500' long. But now it is modified with a concrete floor and a very suitable railing and is a great place to see around the countryside, including the main of the Sand Patch area CSX that passes under it.

[daveklepper]

The short, low trestle probably gets maintenance from maintainers walking the track. The high, long treste probably gets maintenance from a motorized "cherry picker" in the valley below carrying the maintainers in the "bucket."

[kenneo]

As far as I know of, there are no laws or regulations concerning your question.

My understanding is that it is up to the railroads engineering department and, here, the squwekee axel bearing principle is in play, also.

[Ray Dunakin]

While visiting a desert railroad recently, I saw several small trestles. Only one had walkways, and it was only about 5 feet above the sandy dry wash. A much taller trestle nearby had no walkway or handrails. So I'm wondering, how do railroads determine which trestle will get a walkway, and why?