Sunday, November 17, 2019

MoW: Flood of 2019: Repairing washouts with "belt trains"

I've already described dump trains. Now, because of the many washouts of BNSF's and UP's mainline, I'm seeing photos of them in action. I see that DumpTrain is a registered trademark by the inventor. It appears that "belt train" is the appropriate generic term for this design.

I read a comment that someone saw a train coming from Canada that was hauling six dump trains to the Plains States.

A key to using dump trains for rapid restoration of a track is welded rail and clips that are strong enough to keep the concrete ties attached to the rails.

BNSF Railway posted six photos with the comment: "BNSF employees and contractors continue to work around the clock to repair track and restore service in parts of Nebraska that have experienced heavy flooding."
1
A section of railroad track is washed out near Louisville, Nebraska on Tuesday, March 19, 2019.
Erica Baker Looks like the Creston Sub on the Platte River.Jules Ann MP 21!

2
Crews repair damaged track near Plattsmouth, Nebraska on Thursday, March 21, 2019.
Allan Love Jr. Oreapolis

3
A belt train empties ballast to restore track to service near Louisville, Nebraska on Tuesday, March 19, 2019.

4
A belt train empties ballast onto track near Louisville, Nebraska on Thursday, March 21, 2019.

5
Crews work to repair washed out track near Louisville, Nebraska on Tuesday, March 19, 2019.

6
A ballast train is loaded near Louisville, Nebraska on Thursday, March 21, 2019. The ballast was to be used to restore railroad track.
Dennis Lane Was?!?

James R Hansen posted
Herzog Automated Conveyor Train working midwest flood support


Josh Job posted photos and video with the comment:
I was called as the conductor on this work train yesterday repairing the Napier subdivision near Pacific Junction, Iowa. The crew on it in the pics dumped a whole train while we only dumped about 20 cars. There's a lot of work left, but they're making some progress.
Randall Pratt Cool! Does anyone know what model of hopper these are? (Custom to a point I know)
Douglas Brown https://www.herzog.com/.../ballast-distribution-equipment/

Dennis DeBruler In particular, it is what they call a "conveyor train." https://www.herzog.com/inno.../ballast-distribution-machine/ Georgetown calls it a "dump train." https://georgetownrail.com/Material-Handling/DumpTrain

Mark Gillings The Herzog ACT is slightly different than the first version of the Georgetown DumpTrain. Until recently, the Georgetown product did have a conveyor belt that ran the entire length of the train. With the Herzog ACT and Georgetown’s DumpTrain for Curves, each car has its own isolated conveyor system. The conveyor of each preceding car feeds the conveyor of each successive car.
Josh Job Mark Gillings great explanation. I pictured it in my head but worded it funky. It's a much better design for allowing the conveyor to be used around curves instead of needing straight track. I've dealt with both on 2 separate work trains and the new system is far superior.
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Joe Dockrill posted
GREX train
Rocky Leveille Will need a few more loads, lol
The belt trains can be used to do quick temporary repairs for bridge approaches. A permanent solution would be to build an approach span so that the river doesn't make its own flood plain channel.
Jon Schueth video
Working on the railroad bridge at St Paul. Lots of different rails with problems. Ethanol and grain exports will have to wait...
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