From the Channel 11 news in Anchorage, AK: Railroad replacing tracks between Anchorage and Wasilla The Alaska Railroad Corporation is upgrading its rail line. The railroad is replacing the bolted rail that it has previously used with continuously welded rail on the corridor between Anchorage and Wasilla. Crews began working on the project in March. They began installing the new rail earlier this month. The old sections of rail, which average 80 feet in length, are taken out and welded together. The lengths are then braced into place on the track and welded together using a thermal weld. The goal for the summer is to replace the rail between the Eagle River Bridge and the Mat-Su junction. That equals about 17 miles of track. Crews so far have replaced just over 4 miles. The railroad says when finished the track will be quieter and much cheaper to maintain.
Sounds like the first weld is essentially re-done a second time? I've seen both individual welds done. But never both. I'd like to follow such a process from start to finish. Just to see it all in sequence. The ARR would be the only reason I'd want to live in Alaska..... Boxcab E50
