AMTRAK TRACK LAYING MACHINE

[howardkevinm]

although technically Amtrak doesnt lay tracks anymore. they are prefabricated sections that are installed on the track bed and welded in place

[rhblakeman]

Are those some sort of precast concrete ties?

[JBofBrisbane]

@rhblakeman - Yes, sleepers (or ties if you prefer) come in prestressed concrete and steel now. In certain applications they last much longer than timber, and can even be re-used. Impervious to termites, too.

[trainmasta227]

@JBofBrisbane But the Northeast Corridor which is this is one of only 3 lines in America to use concrete

[mello27]

@JBofBrisbane yes how ever  there now replacing all of them due to well craking and such

[lukebccb]

Isn't cheaper to just hire a few dozen mexicans or central americans and pay them below wages?

[iceman977th]

@lukebccb And allow dozens of American's to lose their jobs/homes/etc? Pass.

[RayPRA]

so this is how they build it, i used to think they put one by one and then put the little rocks.

[modeltrainfanatic98]

@RayPRA same here

[318Captain]

@RayPRA yeah they used to

[jaws12413]

cool dude cool ^^

[J0Boa]

Is it just me or they are really using dirt instead of gravel?

[222delta]

dirty gravel

[obnoxiousvf]

@J0Boa

What they are doing is laying the track on the ground. They then pour the ballast on top and then tamp it to the surface (using a tamper).

[b33t0]

lucky for me, we just started the new TLM project. Get to work on this bad boy for the next 4 years. Lol

[Dorpinghaus2]

Cool-wish I had one for my model railroad ;)

[sigmasquadleader]

Anyone know the rate these lay at?

[murjax]

That's cool. I've never seen a track laying machine before. :D