Rail Grinder Questions

[jward]

one of the big differences between the former santa fe main and the lines where i live is the types of trains run. around here, 19000 ton coal trains are common. a heavy intermodal train will be lucky to weigh half that. add to that drainage problems not found in the southwest, there are places around here where no matter what the railroads do, the track pumps mud due to underground springs below the track bed. we have similar problems with the roads here too. about the only thing that helps is to dig up the track and put a geotextile barrier underneath to try to impede the pumping of water and mud up through the ballast. eastern tunnels are notorious for having water leaks and drainage problems as well. drainage ditches filled with reeds and cattails, and muddy spotts in the track would make interesting modelling projects.....

[Doneldon]

Jeffery-

You're sure right about the drainage problems in the eastern two-thirds of the country. Throw in the weather and it's a miracle any road -- rail or otherwise -- lasts.

The Santa Fe hauled some hugely heavy trains across Kansas and flatter parts of the southwest.  I'm sure they approached 19,000 tons, too, but they would never be able to drag those up and down grades like Raton, Cajon and Tehachepi.

                                                                                                                                   -- D