Looks like a portable ballast cleaner: Sorry about the hand!! Shooting INTO the sun that day! No other way to get a photo of it either, because of where it had been parked. Smaller transformer load. Caught in DRGW/UP North Yard. Could have gotten closer yet, but didn't feel like taking the chance that day! Monday, Dec 26.
Heres just a couple of the things I found in SP's Mojave Yard. SD45T-2 with Tehachapi work train. Commute GP9 3194...original number, Texas & New Orleans 281. She was sold to Golden Gate Railroad Museum in August 1997. She will be safe with them. SP Boom Truck, Mojave yard SP frontend loader, Mojave Thom [ January 06, 2006, 07:31 PM: Message edited by: SP 9811 ]
Can someone tell me, does that "1912" indicate this is nearly 94 year old rail? Or is it some other kind of number?
I believe your assumption is correct. Also, there should be a city name just out of the picture to the left of "Colorado" which would indicate the location of the mill where the rail was rolled. You made quite a discovery if that rail is still in use. The oldest date I have seen on a CSX main is 1947, rolled by an L&N mill in Kentucky...although the rail is installed in Mississippi.
Hmmm, Thanks Hytec! I will check for that town name when I revisit this old timer during my annual railfan campout in May. This rail is in use, although on a little traveled siding. I wonder if it is reclaimed rail? Wow, 94 years old! The Titanic was brand new... And afloat...
Most railroads "reclaim" all their old but undamaged rail. New rail starts out on the heaviest traveled mains, then as it wears and deforms it is replaced and installed on lightly traveled branches, then finally it is installed in storage yards or RIP tracks where the only traffic it sees is the occasional boxcar or switcher, and the max speed is 5 mph. All the same, you made a great find.....RMS Titanic, I'm impressed......
When BN tore out a bunch of the former Milwaukee Road track in Washington, they used it to re-lay and extend some sidings. Boxcab E50
Flat Car Bridge, Kirby, Texas Here is an 89 foot flat car bridge in Kirby Yard, San Antonio, Texas. I took this picture several years ago, but I just saw it still in place.
