Track Department

...will keep the track department from completing their scheduled tasks.

So it was a typical spring day at Union today... Cloudy, with peeks of sun, occasional rain, and yes Virginia, Hail. For the most part it was simply cloudy and dry.

The day started around 8:30 with myself showing up and getting the Model 50 Burro fired up. Given the cool 40 degree weather, I needed to cut out one of the hydraulic pumps to get the engine to turn over and warm up. Tom showed up at 9AM and about the time the 50 was warmed up. We shut down, engaged the hydraulic pump and off to yard 13 for more work setting out track panels.

We had to work some strategy to the task today. We planned to set the last two panels already stacked near the broken rail for 13-4 track, set the remaining panels for 13-1 and 13-2. We needed to use lighter panels (read missing more ties) on 13-1 so as to not overload and tip the crane when setting those panels. We also had to stack the panels near the broken rail. The plan was to stack em, cross the broken rail light, and then lay them out.

We broke for lunch around 12:30 with only the panels across the broken rail to set. We came back and made short work of setting the panels, and adjusting a few more on the good side of the break. Some OTM was picked up, a few loose ties moved out of the way, and we headed back to the barn. Upon our arrival back on 11-2 track, we found the track cart from the dog pull last week. We set that off, and parked the crane. About that time, Steve showed up in time to help fuel and add hydraulic fluid to the machine, and get the rail tongs on the hook for tomorrow.

The panels for yard 13 are now all laid out, with one spare for filling in some gaps. Cropping and drilling are next. We will have to get the hydraulic cart moved over to yard 11, so it is close to the work. Adam and Marcus will be the Sunday gang.

New photos have been posted on the IRM members photos website at http://www.irm.org/gallery/album247

Frank D.