RIP tracks

[sleeper33]

here's a good un
what capacity do you need on an rip track(s) for an 5 road yard? also what type of repairs would be carried out?
enquiring mind.

gav[:D][%-)][%-)][%-)]

[cacole]

If you mean that 5 different roads are sharing a yard, they would probably pool their resources for an indoor repair facility with an overhead crane and machine shop. A RIP (Repair In Place) track is for simple, outdoor tasks only, such as replacing an air hose or brake shoes.

[sleeper33]

ah i see what i meant was 5 sideings of various lenths

[cacole]

Okay, so back to the original question and answer -- a RIP track for a yard of that size would probably be only long enough for 2 or 3 carriages max. Remember, you're talking about quick, easy repairs that require no welding, heavy sheet metal work, or wheel replacement, and this yard would not generate that much traffic.

[sleeper33]

cheers for that Cacole mutch needed info recieved
thanks
gav

[nbrodar]

Repairs on a RIP track, may include light welding on items like cut levers, ladders, and brake platforms.

Nick

[sleeper33]

gets even better

thanks nick

[tcwright973]

Love these kind of questions. Always get so many good anwsers about things I don't know, or hadn't even thought about. I never even heard the term "RIP Track" before. It's what make these forums so interesting and valuable.
Now, could a rip track just be along side an engine house, assuming that would make tools or welding equipment readily available?
Tom.

[cacole]

Truck-mounted welding equipment could be used if there is a roadway nearby, which there will nearly always be because most RIP tracks are right alongside a roadway -- though I have seen one exception where a RIP track was 10 miles from the nearest town out in the middle of the desert. The SP installed a temporary siding during a track construction project, and used it as a RIP track for the work train's equipment as they proceeded down the line.

[nedthomas]

The term RIP track comes from == Repair In Place ==

[csmith9474]

Don't forget to use your blue flags, and depending on what era, blue locks.

[cacole]

Blue flags would probably not be used on a RIP track because it is not part of any main line or regularly-used yard track, and it nearly always has a derail near the turnout.

[csmith9474]

At East Yard in San Antonio I have seen blue flags used to protect the rip track. As far as I know that is a rule to protect with blue flags when there is work being done no matter where it is.

RULE 218.27 - Workers on track other than main line track

When workers are on, under, or between rolling equipment on track other than main track-

(a) A blue signal must be displayed at or near each manually operated switch providing access to that track;

(b) Each manually operated switch providing access to the track on which the equipment is located must be lined against movement to that track and locked with an effective locking device; and

(c) The person in charge of the workers must have notified the operator of any remotely controlled switch that work is to be performed and have been informed by the operator that each remotely controlled switch
providing access to the track on which the equipment is located has been lined against movement to that track and locked as prescribed in rule 218.30.

(d) If rolling equipment requiring blue signal protection as provided for in this section is on a track equipped with one or more crossovers, both switches of each crossover must be lined against movement through the crossover toward that rolling equipment, and the switch of each crossover that provides access to the rolling equipment must be protected in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b),or (c) of this section.(e) If the rolling equipment to be protected includes one or more locomotives, a blue signal must be attached to the controlling locomotive at a location where it is readily visible to the engineman or operator at the controls of that locomotive.

This can be found on page 4.11 of the FRA field manual. The manual used here included all revisions through March 1, 1999.

[jwar]

The track would only be a siding if no repairs are made. A rip track is for repairs of BO (Bad order cars) equipment, as they would be pulled out of service untill the various repairs are signed off.

Just a few ideas from working ajacent to rip tracks. A rip track can really tell a visual story.

Two duff norton screw jacks with one end of a car raised about a two feet, to roll a wheel set out from under it.
A fork lift or A frame hoist and two guys pulling a coupler thats slung by a chain.
The carpenter repairing a flat car floor
Restinciling the repair date on the sid of the car.
Repairs to roof walks, hand wheels,grabrails, air brakes, hoses, brake shoes, a welder torching off parts bent beond repair.
Perhaps a shanty for tool storage, also the derrick was close to the rip as the rip track crew would go out on wrecks.

There would be a blue flag on each end of the siding unless dead ended. Depending on the road the blue can only be pulled by the employee that originaly placed it or the supervisor after being sure no one else was working on it.
Also roundhouses had BF's on each repair track, so the hosler couldent move a unit untill it was clear of personel.
The above is USA guidlines, However DAV I have no clue to what the British rules are, would be interesting to know....John

[nbrodar]

RIP tracks always have some sort of Blue Flag protection. In my terminal, most RIP repairs are done with a mobile truck. The intermodal ramp's RIP has equipment to change out wheelsets, also.

Nick

[jrbarney]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jwar

Two duff norton screw jacks with one end of a car raised about a two feet, to roll a wheel set out from under it.
....John

Anyone know of a source for model Duff Norton screw jacks in HO scale ?
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[csmith9474]

Are these correct????

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/229-7102
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/650-2207

[ozzy01]

There's an article in the Feb.06 issue of MR which I got today.