boatsmate wrote:Great Video- now I have 2 questions, 1 why have NS test when the FRA is testing also?? FRA GOE train is in the area ir was, or do they test differnt things. 2nd what kind of Engine is the NS 32 (?) i saw following the Conrail unit. never seen anything like it before.
Thanks in advance
Bill
1. The FRA car and this equipment both measure track geometry. The FRA sets its own schedule, which the railroad doesn't control. To ensure they test everything they are interested in the RR's schedule their own cars. The FRA car comes when it comes. It generally concentrates on passenger and haz-mat routes.
2. The NS unit measures "loaded" track parameters. This means the track is measured with the weight of a train on it. Obviously, the track moves under load, and this equipment measures the track at that point. (To be honest, no one cares what the track measures when a train is not on the track). And the 32 supplies the load. Sometimes, the cars will measure the gage before the load is applied, and compare that measurement to the loaded gage. The size of the change can indicate spots of weak ties that may not be obvious to the eye.
DAW
