Never let anyone tell you that your 10" track sections are unprototypical.
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Sectional, or "snap", track is prototypical for quick track replacement after a derailment, or some other similar mishap. However, in the modern era of mainline RR track, the jointed rail is then later replaced with CWR (Continuous Welded Rail) so that maximum allowable train speeds can be restored.
A few years ago, when all the street crossings in our town were replaced by BNSF, the train speed was limited to 50 MPH on that track (there are 3 mainline tracks through our town), until the Thermite Welding Gang arrived to remove the joint-bars and weld the rail joints. Systemwide, BNSF has a max allowable speed of 50 MPH on jointed rail.
Hot Water posted:Sectional, or "snap", track is prototypical for quick track replacement after a derailment, or some other similar mishap. However, in the modern era of mainline RR track, the jointed rail is then later replaced with CWR (Continuous Welded Rail) so that maximum allowable train speeds can be restored.
A few years ago, when all the street crossings in our town were replaced by BNSF, the train speed was limited to 50 MPH on that track (there are 3 mainline tracks through our town), until the Thermite Welding Gang arrived to remove the joint-bars and weld the rail joints. Systemwide, BNSF has a max allowable speed of 50 MPH on jointed rail.
Thanks a bunch for your reply. I didn't know some operators had a speed difference for mechanical fastners and welded rail. Cool.
penn station posted:
I recognise that spot! That's where cars get nailed by CSX trains for being too close to the middle of the road. Love it!
The other spot I watch is Ashland, Virginia where tracks have their own right of way but it divides the road. People routinely turn onto the tracks by mistake at night and get stuck. It's scary because there is a lot of AMTRAK and CSX traffic.
Another common use for pre-fabricated sections of track was in the lumber railroads. With minimal grading and prep, track would be laid down in sections to the clear a portion of the forest and upon completion, the sections would be pulled up to reused elsewhere.
