The Loram Rail Grinding Train in Vancouver, WA (HD)

One day I was on a return trip home from the Columbia Gorge, and I happened to see the rail grinder poking along on it's way west to Vancouver. I stopped at several crossings along the Old Evergreen highway, and caught some close up footage of this remarkable machine in operation. The air was full of smoke, the sparks flew, and streams of water were applied by workers on board to prevent the hot sparks from starting fires.

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[maddennis55]

Actually, the water is not really to cool the rails, it is to put out any hot sparks that could cause a fire. The sparks can settle on any leaves, paper, old wood, even ties, and smolder into a fire.

[844Steamtrain]

@maddennis55 Thanks for the info!

[geoh7777]

I saw one of these things coming past Missoula, Montana when I used to live there. I wasn't aware that rails needed grinding. Well, dirt roads that have gone to washboard need smoothing, so I shouldn't have been surprised. Thanks for the cool vid.

[emutiny]

these things are so cool. I remember I saw one rolling through knightdale nc when i was younger and thinking "this is the coolest thing ive ever seen!"

[yjcooke]

I saw this work train depart Vancouver around 8:00 AM today and wondered how it all worked. Now I know! Thanks for posting it.