Caught these track workers near my house today. Looks like they were stopping at fishplates (rail joiners). The equipment they were using had a small engine running, and they could have been tightening the bolts? As there are containers on the machines would they have been lubricating the joiners, or would that just be for track switch points?
Alan- They were probably just checking all the bolts. Making certain that none are working their way loose. The "container" you see on the machines, appears to be used for counterweight. So the apparatus won't tip as they roll to the next place. Boxcab E50 [ April 14, 2005, 09:05 PM: Message edited by: BoxcabE50 ]
Alan- See my earlier response. I have hands on experience with similar equipment here in the US. Checking and replacing bolts is part of normal maintenance. Boxcab E50
As Ken suggests, Alan. Looks like a mechanised nut tightener (oo-er missus! ), though I have never seen one in use anywhere before. Clearly, they have a possession to do this - it's not the sort of thing that's easily removed from the track for train passage!
Interesting - both of those workers are wearing orange vests, but not hard hats. On CSX, every track maintenance worker including inspectors in hi-rail vehicles MUST wear an orange hard hat at all times, but not vests. I wonder what the difference is...if anything? Alan, does the bolted rail indicate a secondary line, or is welded rail not as wide spread in the UK as it is in the US?
Gary, the trains seemed to be running as usual - about one per hour each way. Maybe that was why they we really hurrying
Hank, no hard hats as there is nothing which could fall on their heads on that line The track they were on is the northbound one which at this point is still jointed track. The southbound is cwr, and the trains are sooooo much quieter going south The jointed track looks quite worn to me, so hopefully it will eventually be renewed with cwr.
I'm sure there is nothing to fall from the sky onto CSX trackworkers either, but I doubt if the suits in Jacksonville can comprehend that. But I like the interesting photos.
Alan- Over here, the litigators have messed up life to an incredible degree. So, in order to protect themselves, and also due to governmental (meddling and interference) mandates, certain safety equipment is always required by employers. Hard hats. Eye and ear protection. Shoes/boots with reinforced (steel) toe and heel protection. Gloves. And as needed, much, much more. I've no objection to being safe. But at times, the gear becomes a burden. And when the worker is forced to supply their own, it can be quite costly. Boxcab E50
Good pick, Hank. They should be wearing hard hats and ear protection as per Network Rail and HSE (Health and Safety Executive) requirements. And to answer your other question, welded rail is probably more widespread in the UK than in the US but that's not saying there isn't a fair amount of joints out there. Most jointed is found on branch lines and in yards. Certainly the mainlines are CWR and have been for some time. Alan, with one train per hour, they would be working under the T12 rule where a 30 min mini-possession is pre-planned for doing the work. (I'm certain that is stretched a little with the signaller's agreement being a lightly trafficked line. ) What I find intriguing, though, is the guy with the blue satchel.... that's a lookout's kit. Who's looking out for traffic on the adjacent line if he is operating the machine? If he is the lookout, that's a big no-no. [ April 15, 2005, 09:50 PM: Message edited by: Gats ]
Ken, to empasize your comment on litigators, barristers, lawyers---yesterday I bought a new car. My hand is sore from signing so many disclaimers having to do with lawsuits. I'm surprised they didn't make me wear a hardhat for the signing. I got home and started through the owners manual on this small sedan, and there are 57 (count 'em) pages on how to use the seat belts and other restraints, undoubtedly due to litigation. Many pages written for the stupid about how not to injure yourself whilst driving. What are 50 lawyers at the bottom of the sea? A good start.
Jim- The whole problem is lack of self responsibility. And no common sense. Brought about by incredibly poor parenting. Question- Are those men railroad company workers? Or from a private contractor? In my experience, the private firm often tends to be more lax than the RR. Boxcab E50
Ken, I would guess that they are contractors. Gary, not long before these two came along, another two had already been past, apparently doing the same thing! But maybe the first pair were loosening the nuts for the next pair to tighten