September 2018 Work Reports

[Joe Fox]

Also to make it know, the crane will reduce some help, but definately not all. There is planned to be two cranes, which will require two operators and at least two handlers, maybe more, then 6-8 guys to lay out ties once they are put on the ground, a guy to mark the ties, a person to move insta tracks, and 2 people to handle joint bars, bolts, and tightening. So instead of 20-25 people to lay rail, it will be reduced to 13-14. There will still be lots to do and the numbers not really reduced by much. A big hold up on our production in the past has been spiking, so hopefully if all goes as planned spiking and rail laying will go about the same pace.

[Jeff Schumaker]

ORF = Old Rail Fan???

Jeff S.

I'll go with that.  I like that better than "Old Retired Fart"

That works for me, too, Al.

Jeff S.

[Gary Kraske]

Insta track will be used to hold the track in place, then spiking as normal behind the train. Our insta track holds the track well enough for the slow speeds and locks rails in at a set distance apart.

Pray tell, what is insta-track?  Tried looking it up but just got a bunch of internet references.

[Dana Deering]

Speaking of Insta-Track, Joe, I cut a bunch of replacement "clamps" for the ones that have broken over the years and they are in a stack on the shelf in the section house.  The slots need to be cut, though, and I took one of the good ones and set it with the blanks so it could be used as a pattern. If you could get someone to cut the slots you would have more usable insta-tracks for the FWW. 

[James Patten]

Insta-track is method of temporarily assembling track so that equipment can move over it to facilitate laying more track, until the spikers can spike the track down and remove it.  It's a 6"x6" piece of lumber with notches cut out for the rails, and wooden clamps that can be slid over the rail bases to hold it all in place. 

[Bill Reidy]

How many sticks of Insta-Track^TM do we have and will be needed to support use of the rail gantry train?  It's 3 Insta-Track pieces per 30-foot section of track.  I understand the rail gantry train will consist of a locomotive and both flat cars, so let's call that 4 rail lengths (allowing a small buffer behind the train).  Plus the track put down to be spiked (at least 1 rail length -- 2 would be better), plus the next section of rail to be put down by the gantry (1 rail length).  I count 7 rail lengths, or 21 Insta-Track needed.  More would be better to take pressure of the spiking crew behind the train while not impeding the rail laying process, plus a buffer for Insta-Track that gets broken while in use.  Is my math off?

[Jeff Schumaker]

Have the Insta-track ties been checked to see if any are in need of repair?

Jeff S.

[Joe Fox]

Dana, thank you. I will grab those and cut them up this week.

We have a lot of insta tracks, I am thinking something like 20+ Some of which need the blocks installed that Dana brought up.

[Gary Kraske]

Thank you for the description, James.  Good to use wood it takes care of thermal expansion concerns at different times of year. Again thank you.

[Roger Cole]

Would anyone have a photo of "Insta-track" that they could post?

[Mike Fox]

Posted in another thread..

The insta track is the 4x4 with the wooden slide fasteners. Notches are cut in the 4×4 to keep the rails in gauge.

[Bill Reidy]

We have a lot of insta tracks, I am thinking something like 20+ Some of which need the blocks installed that Dana brought up.

That doesn't sound like a lot, unless my math this morning was wrong.

[Jeff Schumaker]

Is there someone at the museum who would be willing to check the insta-track ties and perform the necessary repairs?

Jeff S.

[Joe Fox]

The ones that need repairs Dana brought blocks up for, which will go home with me tomorrow so that I can cut the notch in the centers and then put them back on the insta track Saturday morning or Monday of next week.

[Paul Uhland]

Insta-Track.
Verrrrry clever.
Should also save labor.