2-26-09 ST MOW crews Rail shovel project
The Suleski Transportation's maintenance of way department worked on a special project this week to construct a Rail Shovel. This is a one of a kind piece of rail equipment that will be used to do repair grade work along the right of way in areas where regular grading equipment can't get to.
Normally we would take a flat car of graders out to where it was needed and lower them off by crane. Sometimes the slope of the area makes it to difficult to do this, so MOW crews came up with this Rail Shovel idea.
A depressed center flat car is brought into the shop and made ready to accept its new permanent load.
The shop hoist lifts the shovel off of the low boy trailer and into position.
Crews work to secure the shovel to the car.
An extra large diesel fuel tank is installed under the shovel.
Here crews install the hydraulic outriggers that will secure the car while it is working.
The custom made outriggers are double checked for safety.
Crews apply graphics to the Rail Shovel. It is numbered 90226 to show it was built on 2-26-09.
Electricians install a powerful flood light on the cab to light up any night work area.
Crews make final check of all systems before entering the new Rail Shovel onto the MOW equipment roster.
Here is the Rail Shovel pulled out onto the line.
We may make minor adjustments or modification after the unit has been in service for a while, but overall everyone is happy with the outcome of this project.
It will be displayed at the ECLSTS and then start work.
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