Thursday Proto Photo, Mar 15/18

[Lenny53]

[Philip H]

Things you see on the Coast:

[Joetrain59]

Why and what exactly are they grinding on the rails?
 Joe D

[C855B]

http://www.loram.com/services/default.aspx?id=242

Rail grinding has become a routine operation on trafficked mainlines. Periodic smoothing of the rail surfaces extends rail life and decreases wear and tear on wheels. We see the Loram trains about once a year through our town, and frequently encounter them when we're out railfanning.

They are fun and interesting to watch in operation, especially at night! We happened into one on a road trip a few years ago, pulled over to watch, and were then witness to the lineside brush fire started by the train. I started to pick up my phone to call 911, and about that moment a hi-rail pickup truck following the train with a tank of water stopped to put out the blaze. The fire was quickly getting out of hand and we weren't all that sure the little they had was up to the task, but somehow they prevailed, doused the flames, and moved on.

[Philip H]

as you can see at the end of the video these guys were putting out plenty of water.  They were followed by two track inspector hi-rails with bed mounted tanks and a big, IH maintenance truck with more water.  We were helped by the really rainy winter we have had on the coast.

And yes they are fun to watch.

[R L Smith]

El Paso 1506, a 1936-vintage PCC streetcar, heads west on March 14th after complete refurbishment at Brookville Equipment Corporation.

So many stories to tell someday...

Ron

[havingfuntoo]

When they built the new line from Alice Springs to Darwin in Northern Territory they had to grind the new rail to smooth it out. Before it was ground the cans of beer (and other beverages) had the writing and signage rubbed off from the vibrating of the cans on each other, there was some can failures reported also. 

[R L Smith]

Two more of 1506 from earlier this week.







RLS

[Doug G.]

I was on a road trip once and came upon a rail grinding operation too. I stopped (or I think I just slowed way down) to watch and it was quite a display and experience!

Doug