Lithonia Operator Do all switch heaters use propane nowadays?
Do all switch heaters use propane nowadays?
I've never seen any electric or kerosene heaters out here.
Ours use propane only if they are in remote areas without a natural gas connection. Otherwise they use natural gas from the municipal system. They have also started installing gas-powered backup generators at most controlled locations.
The heaters are not left on all the time, and can be manually controlled from the RTC centre. It is common to hear the RTC ask trains if it is snowing where they are. They are fairly cautious or forgetful about turning the heaters on, and it is also not uncommon for switches to freeze because the heater wasn't turned on for long enough.
The heaters also don't work very well if no one remembers to fill the propane tank.......
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
The original CNW installations in my area were just blowers. Eventually they were replaced with propane switch heaters.
Some of the last control points added used electric heaters. The element heats the rail. Within a couple years they were replaced with propane heaters. If the electric heaters weren't turned on early, they couldn't keep up with the worst winter weather.
Even with propane heaters, they often have trouble with them. Enough that during the bad storms they only try keeping a few strategic crossovers working.
Jeff
Joint-Line between Pueblo and Denver has plenty of natural gas heaters (dragons) ... certain ones in Denver have become homeless warming statiions and cookstoves.
I would opine that would be the case most of the time. The other option - natural gas - isn't always available where it would be needed. Propane can go pretty much anywhere you can park a tank or two.
Electric heat may be in use - in fact, one of the images in the thread looks like it might just be electric. Someone else will have to confirm or deny.
I don't see fuel oil or kerosene as all that viable, but one never knows.
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...
Lithonia OperatorDo all switch heaters use propane nowadays?
No! Some are electric, some are cold air blowers and in some cases they are kerosene smudge pots. Some Control Points do not get equipped with snow removal equipment and Dispatchers are instructed not to use those locations for other than straight track movements during snow events.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
The covers act like extra ductwork to help keep the heat along the rail from air forced through nozzles coming out of the cribs. Also helps keep water/snow/ice/debris out of the area being warmed by the switch heater.
You can't inspect trackwork (adjustable braces, points, stock rails, etc) very well with the things in place.
The switch covers don't hinder the operation of the switch. They put them on before (usually) the snow falls and then take them off and store them in the racks after they figure they won't have any more snow.
All depends on how much time maintainers have on their hands.
I would opine they go on in winter and off in summer, generally speaking. Looks like the switches will work just fine with them in place.
Taking them off in summer simply removes the possibility of damage from dragging equipment, etc.
Lithonia OperatorAre switches operable with those on? Or do you temporarily put them on switches that probably won't need to be thrown during the bad weather.
I wonder if something like this would be an effective barrier to prevent wheelchair wheels from descending into flangways at grade crossings?
Are switches operable with those on? Or do you temporarily put them on switches that probably won't need to be thrown during the bad weather.
BaltACD dh28473 I dont know how to post pictures You have to link them through a 3rd party picture posting site.
dh28473 I dont know how to post pictures
You have to link them through a 3rd party picture posting site.
I use this site
https://postimages.org/
jeffhergertThey are often stored in racks near the switch that look like shelves. I can't find a picture of them in the racks, but plenty of them in place at the switch.
https://www.rwy.com/products-rwy/track-heaters-accessories/track-switch-covers/
And scroll down to the second photo here, is that a rack in the background? Looks like they have plenty of propane on hand
http://www.fiberglassspecialtiesnd.com/railroad-switch-heater-shields/
jeffhergert "Shevels" threw me. I couldn't find a definition at first. Finally found one that led to shelves. I think the OP may be talking about the switch covers that are placed along and between the points to help keep snow out of the switch and help direct heat. Tree's photo doesn't show the shields. They are often stored in racks near the switch that look like shelves. I can't find a picture of them in the racks, but plenty of them in place at the switch. Do the items look similar to the in-place covers in the link? RAILROAD 03 – Fiberglass Specialties (fiberglassspecialtiesnd.com) Jeff
"Shevels" threw me. I couldn't find a definition at first. Finally found one that led to shelves. I think the OP may be talking about the switch covers that are placed along and between the points to help keep snow out of the switch and help direct heat. Tree's photo doesn't show the shields.
They are often stored in racks near the switch that look like shelves. I can't find a picture of them in the racks, but plenty of them in place at the switch. Do the items look similar to the in-place covers in the link?
RAILROAD 03 – Fiberglass Specialties (fiberglassspecialtiesnd.com)
This OP? If this is what you are referring to.. It's the hot air blower.
Murphy SidingI wonder if it's a switch heater?
I think that's the consensus, until proven otherwise.
dh28473They are on ground next to the switching mechanical not on tracks on a metal shelf .The heaters use propane there are tanks there also
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
dh28473They are on ground
Why don't you try an image search for "wayside detector" and/or "defect detector" and see if you can come up with a picture already online to show us?
Murphy Siding I figured you were finally losing it.
I thought that it was time for a "new look", something to go with the new streamlined look of the website.
Convicted One tree68 Shevel? I'll bet that CSX doesn't paint their Shevels, and once they rust away CSX will be know as the desheveled railroad...
tree68 Shevel?
I'll bet that CSX doesn't paint their Shevels, and once they rust away CSX will be know as the desheveled railroad...
tree68Shevel?
I'll bet that CSX doesn't paint their Shevels, and once they rust away CSX will be known as the desheveled railroad...
Or, something like this?:
https://www.oksolar.com/images-store/104070_large.jpg
Or perhaps this:
dh28473 there are some type of shevels with large plates on them next to the switches what are they for ?
there are some type of shevels with large plates on them next to the switches what are they for ?
Are you talking about something like this:
https://tflexsys.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Railroad-Heater-Photos-018-e1428176970598.jpg
Shevel?
Try a search for "railroad crossings" and see if you can spot what you are talking about. You may be able to link an image. Right click on the image and see if it offers you the ability to copy a link address. Then you can click on the "insert image" icon and paste the address there.
Failing that, draw us a picture in words - size, color, other notable features.
dh28473I dont know how to post pictures
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