Comments on: It’s Just Cool: A Railroad Clip Installer

by: tony clark

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 23:50:02 +0000

I believe all the big class one railroads are now concrete ties and continuous rail. I do know my local lines are all class 2 and they are still wooden ties and weld rail.

by: Rick Reimundez

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 01:51:58 +0000

I was under the impression that any new rails being laid were concrete. But I could be wrong on that. I do know that in my area (New York City and Suburbs) they’ve been converting all of the old wooden ties to concrete for years now. Most of the more heavily traveled lines are already converted, at least the ones used by Metro-North (the commuter railroad serving the suburbs north of the city). Amtrak and freight traffic come through the same right of way, but I’m not sure if they actually run on the same rail lines. I think there’s one down the center that’s still got the wooden ties, and it’s where I see the passenger and freight trains come through. (I ride the train into NYC each day)

by: Mel

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 01:08:42 +0000

I’m now curious as to where concrete railroad ties are used. I’m a bit of a railfan, but I’ve never seen them.

by: Evan N.

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:29:28 +0000

Hopefully one of these won’t meet the fate of Mr. Steam Drill and scatter ‘cross the hills.

by: John Henry

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 17:55:20 +0000

I’m John Henry and I’m really getting a kick out of this, i was about to build a new railroad.

Good find on a tool that is obscure. When I finally buy my mansion, I’ll put down some trolley tracks with these.