Wilmar (the) Tamper - Official Work Thread

[Mike Fox]

I have just been tossing random ideas, mainly from construction, about what would work. Getting it operating and the guys used to it will be first. Improvements and modifications can come after.

[Wayne Laepple]

As built, this machine had both lining and leveling capabilities. From what I can tell from the parts book, both were accomplished mechanically. If we can replicate that system, we’re all set. Once the machine is at Sheepscot, we can figure things out and go from there. Why rerinvent the wheel?

[Roger Cole]

They wouldn't happen to have a "redundant" B-B diesel locomotive would they?

[Bill Baskerville]

I don't know the dimensions of Wilmar, but I suspect it will be too wide to tamp beside the station platforms at Sheepscot, Alna Center and the future Trout Brook. ...

  Wayne told me that they are shipping Wilmar on a flat rack shipping pallet instead of a container because it is just over 8" wide.  I think our cars run around 6'6 " or 6'8" wide.  This means we will have to figure out where Wilmar can and cannot go.  Depending on the vertical dimensions of the major large width items Wilmar may have to take the run-around-track at Alna.

[Wayne Laepple]

There will be plenty for all of us to learn about this machine once it’s actually here, including such things as where it can and cannot go. With more than three miles of track to deal with, if there is a hundred feet that it cannot surface and line, it’s still worth having it.

[Jeff Schumaker]

I don't know the dimensions of Wilmar, but I suspect it will be too wide to tamp beside the station platforms at Sheepscot, Alna Center and the future Trout Brook. ...

  Wayne told me that they are shipping Wilmar on a flat rack shipping pallet instead of a container because it is just over 8" wide.  I think our cars run around 6'6 " or 6'8" wide.  This means we will have to figure out where Wilmar can and cannot go.  Depending on the vertical dimensions of the major large width items Wilmar may have to take the run-around-track at Alna.

If Wilmar is 8 ft wide, and is centered over the rails, there would be roughly 3 ft on either side of the track gauge. Anyone know offhand the distance from the mainline to the Alna Center platform?

Jeff S.

[Mike Fox]

About 3' 6" if I remember correctly. Remember though, Wilmar is that wide at it's widest point. That is not at track height.

[Wayne Laepple]

Our tamper was readied for its ocean adventure late this week and is scheduled to be loaded aboard the ship in Brisbane over the weekend, with the departure set for Tuesday, Nov. 17.  You will notice it's sitting on a short section of track, complete with concrete ties. This is to keep the wheels from damaging the deck of the flat rack. It is covered with a heavy-duty tarp to protect it to some extent from the salt air while at sea.

[Brendan Barry]

Tamper pics without the thumbnails.

[Jeff Schumaker]

That's a good size beast.

Jeff S.

[John Kokas]

And with all the abuse they take from the vibration, you want a beast !!

[Mike the Choochoo Nix]

With the salt air it might be a good idea to pressure wash it as soon as the weather warms in the spring.

[Wayne Laepple]

Wilmar is safely aboard ship and has left Brisbane. Expected arrival at the Port of New York is Jan. 11.

[Jeff Schumaker]

Do you know what ship it is on?

Jeff S.

[Wayne Laepple]

Initially, Wilmar is aboard “Seatrade Orange.” When that ship reaches Mananzillo, Panama, in three weeks or so, Wilmar will be transferred to another ship. It will transit the Panama Canal to Kingston, Jamaica, arriving there on Christmas Eve, where Wilmar will be transferred to a third vessel for the final leg of his Equatorial Tour to New York.