Rails in the middle of tracks

[djmonsta]

Hey guys, perhaps a silly question but something I have always wondered. Why do you sometimes see rails in the middle of tracks? If you don't know what I mean, see attached image.

I assume its something like track workers being lazy / leaving them there for a later upgrade, but if anyone could provide me with a proper answer I will me most grateful!

Oh, and MERRY XMAS!!!

 

[A-driver]

It's not exactly track workers being lazy.

Often rails are left there in advance of engineering works but also after works have taken place old rails are generally left behind as it would cost too much to transport them away. I am told there is a fortune sitting by the railways in scrap value but network rail can't really justify the cost of collecting it all.

 

[GB]

I assume its something like track workers being lazy...

Not sure how you have come to that part conclusion...?

 

[DarloRich]

I assume its something like track workers being lazy

this is the exact reason. Pure bone idleness. That or the rail delivery train has just been through to drop of a load of rails for a renewals job. It tends to come through a work site about 6 weeks before the work is planned to deliver the new rail.

Alternatively it could be a short length of rail left in a strategic position to allow a rapid change over in the event of a failure. You will often see this around busy crossings and junctions.

but i suppose it could just be laziness....................:roll:

 

[pablo]

It's to hold the track down and stop it moving. You could of course use ground screws.

 

[Boodiggy]

Rails can be there for a number of reasons, some will be new rail awaiting installation, some will be for renewals and some will be scrap, with the high output renewals there are many large renewals now completed in short spaces of time. In some areas rail will wear quicker than others, such as outer rails on curves. As has been mentioned there is a lot of money sitting out there but it is not as simple as removing as these people think. Most rail is burned to 30ft lengths and removed using road rail vehicles and taken to approved access points for collection. There are now restrictions using these machines with adjacent lines open, also on WCML there has been a project removing rail over a certain age which has meant even more rail being dropped. If all this rail were in the cess it would mean track workers would not have a safe position to stand in when trains are approaching. Aside from that closure rails for removing defects will be left at different locations. Hope that helps

 

[the sniper]

Not sure how you have come to that part conclusion...?

Because all rail workers are lazy, duh!

Bob Croweee probably told someone to leave it there.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

I always thought rail is placed there because of works taking place later on so a few days earlier they place it when they can so it`s there when they come later on to fit it

 

[aylesbury]

Have noticed odd lenghts of rail in the four foot when viewing dvd,s of West Highland routes ,seem to be for emergency replacements.

 

[Tin Rocket]

Have noticed odd lenghts of rail in the four foot when viewing dvd,s of West Highland routes ,seem to be for emergency replacements.

I work on a mostly 3 track section and we aim to have at least a 30ft if not a 45ft rail every 1/4 mile and even then it is a last resort to use it,we will still get rail pushed up to site if we can,these rails we have strategically placed can prevent major hassle and disruption in case of a break or a defect.

 

[A-driver]

I think perhaps a few people are being a little harsh on the OP! I didn't read the bit about lazy workers to be that serious and feel perhaps he/she should be given a chance to explain what they meant.

As I have made clear in posts I have made I am the first to defend allegations against rail staff until proven but I'm not convinced the op here was really meant in the way its been interpreted-I think it was a genuine question! (I may of course be wrong though but would hate to see a poster put off the forums after an innocent but unfortunate mistake).

 

[swj99]

I always thought it was a sacrificial thing, in that leaving some rail there gives the metal thieves something to nick without them stealing the rails that are in use.

 

[455driver]

Well its his first post and he is going on about railworkers being lazy, nice!

No I dont have a sense of humour, I wanted one for Christmas but I was naughty in November.

 

[themiller]

Looking at the photo, it looks to be in 3rd rail territory. In this case could it be that there is not room in the six foot to drop new rail without the danger of the live contact rail being compromised or old rail being left in the safer location away from the live rail ready for collection after replacement?

 

[NathanPrior]

There are loads around Hither Green/Lewisham/New Cross for some reason that never ever seem to move

 

[Ploughman]

Looking at the photo, it looks to be in 3rd rail territory. In this case could it be that there is not room in the six foot to drop new rail without the danger of the live contact rail being compromised or old rail being left in the safer location away from the live rail ready for collection after replacement?

For a rerail, rails are preferably dropped in the 4ft unless obstructed by TPWS grids, AWS or other equipment then rails are dropped in the 6ft / cess etc.

For a relay incorporating a rerail then the rails will be dropped in the 4ft of an adjacent road subject to equipment issues as above.
If they need to dropped on sleeper end of an adjacent line then they should be secured against falling in the "Hole" during reballasting operations.

During the planning of the works time should be allocated for collection of old rail and components. In the case of rails the last possession should be used for either the 300ft train or equivalent to pick up the rails or use of RoadRail vehicles for removal of 30ft rails to collection point.
However the train does have limits on what it can pick up with regard to presence of joints or length tolerance.

 

[DarloRich]

During the planning of the works time should be allocated for collection of old rail and components. In the case of rails the last possession should be used for either the 300ft train or equivalent to pick up the rails or use of RoadRail vehicles for removal of 30ft rails to collection point.
However the train does have limits on what it can pick up with regard to presence of joints or length tolerance.

It is also one of the first things to get chopped if a possession over runs

 

[swj99]

At least it's only rails and not this.

 

[Wyvern]

Gueess the location?

It's in America after Hurricane Sandy. Metro-North's Ossining Station on the Hudson Line

 

[dangie]

I asked the question some months ago with regard to what happens to scrap rail lying at the side of the track. As mentioned there must be a fortune lying there. Some lengths have been there that long there's trees growing around them..!!

 

[brianthegiant]

going by the spelling mistakes, what are the chances that the OP is a scrap twoc-er...?