[Magdalen] ATTN The Scotts !!!

[Lynn Ronkainen]

You are correct Scott - that was confirmed on our 10pm news probably because of the baffling way it was described at 6pm. They seemed to indicate that the RR ties were set on fire! Seemingly counterintuitive... 
Lynn

On Jan 31, 2019, at 11:12 AM, Roger Stokes via Magdalen <magdalen at herberthouse.org> wrote:

> On 31/01/2019 16:34, Scott Knitter wrote:
> I think I read that there's an actual system of gas lines to provide fire
> to the tracks near switches (where a piece of track moves to divert the
> train one way or another). The main thing is to get rid of ice and snow
> that might block the switch from switching, which would make it impossible
> for the train to take the intended route, or worst case, might derail a
> train.

I don't know if they've changed to fixed lines as I haven't seen them for a few years but this side of the pond they used to have propane heaters for the same purpose.

> I think there's also an issue with the flexibility of the rails...Normally,
> rails have some "give" to allow for shifts in weight, different train
> speeds, etc., and that's why the tracks have to be periodically measured
> and adjusted to maintain a precise width apart (I think there are devices
> that ride the rails and help do this, or at least the measurements). Some
> tracks are continuously welded, so there are no gaps, but others are bolted
> in in sections, with tiny gaps. If ultra-freezing weather happens, the
> flexibility the rails have goes away, and sections of rail can go out of
> alignment with others, with danger of derailment.

A few months ago there was a series of TV programmes about Paddington station in London. One section was about replacing a length of cracked rail and their problem was the heat last Summer. Obviously this would make the rail stretch and if it was too hot they were beyond the ability of the fastenings to keep the rail the right length without buckling. Nowadays we have concrete rather than wooden ties in most places but someone still needs to walk the lines to look for any problems, preferably before they become an issue for the trains.

Roger