Why Are Chicago’s Railway Tracks On Fire?

Discussion in 'Other News' started by Chinatown, Mar 3, 2022.

  1. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Why Are Chicago’s Railway Tracks On Fire?
    Jan 29, 2022 · Railroad officials often set the railroad on fire albeit with low flames so that railway tracks do not pull-apart and remain free of moisture during winters.
     
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  3. nikmirbre

    nikmirbre Road Train Member

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    I never thought of moisture getting in metal like that until watching Air Disasters. Nice story...
     
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  4. speedyk

    speedyk Road Train Member

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    Go out along the Powder River line in Wyoming and there are very large propane tanks that keep switches free of ice all winter.

    From experience, it beats using a railroad broom to clear a switch, which has a flat steel ice chipper sticking out of the top end of the handle. My first railroad had a jet engine mounted on a little car pointed at about 45 degrees to the ground to clear the yards. I was told that it would hurl a 100 pound keg of spikes into the air. :^)
     
  5. mjd4277

    mjd4277 Road Train Member

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    Same here in the northeast. MBTA uses natural gas/propane to keep railroad switches free from ice and snow during extreme cold temperatures.
     
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