Yard lead extension?

[ericsp]

I noticed that just south of an area UP train yard there are several panels of panel track sitting next to the mainline (DT). There has been no derailments there and to an untrained eye the track looks to be in good condition. When I went by there a couple of weeks a pipeline was being replaced or another one added. The track is setting above this. To the best of my knowledge there has never been a third track there. Does it sound like it is an extension of the track the yard switcher uses when switching?

[corwinda]

What kind of pipeline?

[mudchicken]

How many 39 foot panels?

Panels on their own indicate little. If switches, Tackage Turnouts, switch panels et-al start showing up, then you have something.

Panels could very easilly be for nearby bridge or crossing renewals, which frequently require a "panel party" as part of the renewal process. this could be just a transfer site where machinery has the proper elbow room to work.

[ericsp]

There are probably a couple dozen panels. There is a grade crossing a few hundred yards away and no bridges anywhere near them. I will try to make it out there tomorrow to see what has happened (it is still Friday out here).

Corwinda, if I remember correctly the pipeline was steel.

[mudchicken]

Also consider a shoofly for some reason. I they are going to build a switch tail to the lead, you still need a turnout somewhere. Let us know if a switch panel shows up or is built.

[ericsp]

Nothing has happened yet. I counted 32 panels. When getting on the freeway, I noticed some more closer to the yard. I was not able to count them. I would say there was at least a.dozen there. I also noticed that many of them had irregular and inconsistant spacing between ties.

[mudchicken]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ericsp

Nothing has happened yet. I counted 32 panels. When getting on the freeway, I noticed some more closer to the yard. I was not able to count them. I would say there was at least a.dozen there. I also noticed that many of them had irregular and inconsistant spacing between ties.

Sounds like they came out of track (odd tie spacing, no achors or ineffective old anchors), most track panels are built on a jig with new anchors.....

[ericsp]

Mudchicken:

They are definitely used panels. They have been putting them down next to the mainline. It appears some have been moved off to the side of the line of the panels. Judging from the ties on the ones moved to the side, I would guess the ties are the reason why. The contractor doing the job is Jim Dobbas (http://www.jimdobbasinc.com/) with some UP MOW vehicles there.

[ericsp]

Not much work has gone on since they laid out the track. However, there is a pile of ballast and a couple of mangy swithches have shown up (they look like something the cat would drag in and the match the ties on the panel tracks) and are not connected. I did not see the Jim Dobbas vehicles for a while but did see them last time I made it out there.

[ericsp]

After about a month with no noticeable work, if any work, they ballasted the track today. They were tamping it when I went by.

[ericsp]

I completely forgot about this. A few months ago I was told it was a lead for the yard switcher.