strange train

[edwiehe1]

On Sunday afternoon 4/5/09 about 4 P.M. the track along side of Rt.90 & 22 in State Line, Mass or N.Y. which I beleive to be N S track I saw a strange train I have never seen before. It may have been some type of work train but had nothing that looked like a normal locomotive but had what looked like head end cars on each end and in the middle of those had maybe 4 or 5 cars with open sides all about 75' long. The whole train was yellow and very black around the open sides which almost looked burned. this train was sitting on a siding when an Amtrack train passed by with 2 locos, a baggage, a 2 level coach [which looked new], and 4 or 5 regular Amtrack coaches. Also I have never seen Amtrack in that area before either. Just wondering if anyone knows what this may have been ? Ed

[tj48]

Was this what you saw?
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=224563&nseq=27

[edwiehe1]

No, thats not the train. The whole train was like passenger size box cars with large openings in the sides and closed ends, both end cars were similar with closed sides and a small cab . ed

[Gadfly]

Autoracks, perhaps???


Gadfly

[edwiehe1]

No I don't think so because the cars were much longer and no doors on the sides. and also I see didn't see any markings on the sides, I wish I had taken a picture. I thought there would be some talk of it.

[buddah]

Im pretty sure you saw a rail grinder train as there are many types that operate in the US they differ from time to time.. and change out cars for different runs on different trackage... Might have looked like one of these im guessing....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26366849@N ... 9/sizes/o/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hunter1828 ... 3/sizes/l/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davecaswel ... 2/sizes/l/

[edwiehe1]

Hi, That first picture you had looks very much like what I saw. It had the open sides, very blackened and the end cars were similar to those shown in that picture. I have never seen these trains before. What do they do to the rails, grind them curved on top or level them ? Thanks, Ed

[buddah]

They level them out and shape the rail up for better performance, here is a quick snip from Harsco on what there latest model is and does.....

http://www.harscotrack.com/grinders/production.htm