Tie replacement in engine service areas

Hi,
In looking at photos of engine service areas I noticed that the ties are covered in ashes, sand, oil, and general crud and you cannot see the ties. How often did the ties in those areas get replaced? Was there a maintenance schedule to replace ties like on the mainline or was it replace when the gauge widened?

BobLI wrote:Hi,
In looking at photos of engine service areas I noticed that the ties are covered in ashes, sand, oil, and general crud and you cannot see the ties. How often did the ties in those areas get replaced? Was there a maintenance schedule to replace ties like on the mainline or was it replace when the gauge widened?

Prob'ly not until they absolutely HAVE to since the repair tracks, shop facility tracks don't have to endure heavy traffic or high speed. IOW, low, low priority. Case in point, during my career at NS, the yard tracks at the Charlotte Roadway Shops were in pretty poor condition (if you are merely looking at appearance and main-line track standards). One day, the switcher came in to do his routine switching and........................SNAP!!!!! A rail turned over right under the engine, putting the yard job on the ground and fouling the street crossing! They fixed it, and, shortly thereafter during an extensive remodel of the shops, they TS'ed the whole yard. If that engine had not derailed, they'd not have thought about it.

GF

It is common for railroads to place a 5mph speed limit in engine service areas. You need to keep the bell ringing, and watch for blue flags and close clearances.

As to ties, I expect they would last a long time in an engine service area. In addition to the reasons already given, an oily environment would help preserve them. If new ties were installed, they may last 100 years!

Les

they start replacing ties in such area's when the rail no longer holds gauge and something derails

DRN,

Sadly, that is what usually happens. Good side: the power is going so slow it isn't going anywhere once it hits the ground. Bad side: There is apt to be people working close by when this happens. Complicating the issue: It is the Mechanical Department's track, but maintaining it is the Engineering Department's responsibility. And it is impossible to inspect track when there are locomotives sitting on it, which would usually be the case.

"The cobbler's children have no shoes."

Les

A couple of years ago we had a pair of locomotives bring a trainload of new ties into Xxxxxxxxxx yard. Came in the east end ok but after they cut off and were leaving toward the west end of the yard the rails spread and the lead unit went on the ground. Oh, well. Time to do some ties in the yard.

Wood ties even turn into compost in oil,grease laden service tracks, visited a location that unloaded tank cars,
had some tie replacement work done after a rail "flopped over" under an empty car,and pinched a steam line
used to warm the product to flow.(ashphalt delivery track) this was at a factory that made roofing materials.
from the looks of it,the track gang had to punch thru 3/4 inch of spilled material!

The sawdust(bagged) was unloaded at a dock 75 feet away.