Why do the railroads leave tie plates and other junk laying around just begging to be put on the tracks?

Question

I've noticed near rail lines in my 'hood that there seems to be alot of junk like old tie piles, spike piles, tie plates, anchors, etc. laying around. Kids sometimes amuse themselves by putting lines of spikes on the tracks, and even tie plates. I'm assuming that since a train hasn't ever derailed despite all this junk on the tracks that they won't. Is the reason that they don't derail is because they have so much mass moving in a straight line, and it would take something to throw them off on a side angle to actually derail them?

Answer 1

All of the above.................

The railroads do pick up the scrap iron from time to time. What is done is, there will be laborers from the maintenance of way department that pile up the used material, then a work train comes along and picks it up.

A 'Burro Crane', usually riding atop it's own flat car and equipped with an electro-magnate, picks up and deposits the material into a gondola as the train moves along at walking speed.

When placed on the track by vandals the material often vibrates off the rail as the train approaches with no harm done. In and of itself the chance of derailing equipment is nil. But, with a little knowledge, it is conceivable that a derailment could be caused. Still, that is not the primary danger.

When a spike or a creeper is struck by the wheel of the equipment it is often 'squirted' out, if you will, with tremendous force and at a high rate of speed. These of course can be quite lethal and they can travel a long distance.

It is the mass of the equipment that prevents a derailment. Keep in mind, when dealing with an 'SD' type truck (six axles), the weight of a locomotive (road engines are typically 200 tons a copy) is distributed over a very small area, in 12 spots that are roughly not much larger than a silver dollar. So, there is over 16 tons of force concentrated in these spots. That much force is difficult to overcome. Given that the axles themselves can travel vertically for a short distance while mounted in the truck, the job of deliberately derailing one is not as easy as it would seem, using these materials.

As far as that act is concerned, in some states, train wrecking that results in loss of life is a capitol offense which, of course, means the crime is punishable by death, as well it should be.

Answer 2

Most designed train derailers aren't all that big, either, but they ARE bolted to the track. With as much mass as a train has, they'll usually just flip the tie plates and spikes out of the way. Not to say it WON'T damage the wheels or flanges when doing so! It's still steel hitting steel. But not likely to derail it. However, it COULD, and it is probably still a CRIME to place large items like that on the track ( as opposed to coins, your fingers, etc. ). I wouldn't want to be caught doing that. Why would anyone want to risk damaging a train? That's just juvenile and criminal thought processes, and I hope whoever does such a thing eventually gets caught and punished for foolish follies like that. Stick with coins, and everyone can enjoy it.

Answer 3

Well, from what I'v been told, when things are put in front of of the 35 tons of each and every wheel, it just pushes it away. If by then, it hasn't shaken off. But I am not sure, but I beleive they clean those up when; they are in the area doing other things, or if they become of problem. Another thing I have been told is, the reason why you see so many big nails, are because two reasons, One becasue old ones fall out, and Two, becasue when alot fall out, there's new ones to put back in.
But I think mostly because all the peices shake off, and move out of place.

It is a crime to put anything on as track, well no, but your tresspassing. When I was 16, I went to Yuma, AZ my parents went to the Casino, as I said I will watch the trains, as I love them so much, I put some coins on the track, I guess some conductor saw me, and few minutes later a Union Pacific cop came up. He said he could arrest me for a few things, even federal crimes, becasue one, I was trespassing, two I was putting stuff on track, and three, I was defacing coins, haha it was funny.. and now I am here working for them. I think I saw the same cop when I went down there when I began. I told him too. it was great!

Answer 4

Very observant. And they only clean up once or twice a year. It is historical and do not think the practice will change any time soon. They the railroad consider any person on or near the rail a tresspasser, so that could be the lame justification.

Answer 5

Trespassing on railroad right-of-way and tampering with rail lines could be a felony in some states. I'd strongly advise against it.

Answer 6

i work for a large railway company.the railroad Troyes to save money by contracting out work to the lowest biding contractor and making for sloppy workmanship and dangerous railway systems.the company i work for has had 18 major derailments this year alone. i am sorry to say.