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The Philadelphia Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society Established in 1936

Railfan Pictures of the Day - 10/08/2003

Amtrak TLM Amtrak North East Corridor Cornwells Heights PA October 8 2003

Though the entire train is almost a thousand feet long, most of the work is done in about a forty foot section at the rear, pictured here.

First, the now unsecured rail (courtesy of the spike pullers) is lifted off the old tie plates and spread.

After the rails are spread sufficiently to let the ties pass between them, a large toothed wheel removes the old wooden ties one at a time, sending them to a conveyor so that they can be moved to the front of the train by one of the gantries.

Then the plow clears a channel in the ballast for the new concrete ties.

A gantry loads the new concrete ties onto a conveyor which positions them to be dropped.

One at a time and at regular intervals, the new ties are dropped onto the cleared ballast.

The rail is then positioned back over the tie plates and secured.

Notice how far the rail must be spread in order to remove the old ties.

All pictures October 8 2003 c. 2003 John P Almeida

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Website created June 12, 2002

Last Updated October 8 2003