Al Carter

Clinic Chair Rich Blake called the meeting to order at a little past 7:00 am with 30 hearty souls in attendance. The group was treated to a pre-clinic “swap mart,” where people bring items to sell or trade or even give away. While the swap mart was held every few months or so in the past, it has become quite popular and is now a monthly part of the clinic.

Phil Gonzales brought along a nifty jig he made to make duplicate cuts in Campbell corrugated siding. He passed it around for all to see, but wouldn’t take orders to build any more. Darn!

The main event of the evening was delayed a bit while Rich and others tried to solve some technical difficulties with the computer, but the computer held out and wouldn’t cooperate, so we didn’t see the DVDs that were to be a part of the show.

Undaunted, our clinician, John White (and former clinic chairperson) pressed onward with his presentation entitled “Track Construction Methods In The Real World,” aided by his ever faithful Kodak slides and projector. John’s presentation told part of the story of the evolution of track/tie renewal from single insertions, to panelization, gantries and finally the need for a faster system for total track renewal, hence the P811.

John described the evolution of the use of concrete ties in North American railroading, including first aborted attempts in the 1960s.

Then, in the 1970s, the Canadian National, plunged forward with some extensive research and development into the use of concrete ties. This was also when use of the European P811 machine came into use, as a machine that could remove old wood ties, grade the ballast, and place new concrete ties all in one fell swoop. Quite a machine, judging by the great slides John displayed.

The P811 became the defacto machine used by the CN, UP, Amtrak and BNSF and is in use today, placing 400,000 or more ties per year for each railroad.  A couple of interesting facts:

  • A concrete tie used by the CN (8’ 3”) weighs about 610 lbs
  • Concrete ties for UP, BNSF, etc, built to AREA specs (8’ 6”) weigh closer to 750 lbs
  • Concrete ties for transit use can weigh less, according to design requirements
  • Concrete ties are depressed in the center as a function of their design, not necessarily to save weight
  • Concrete ties outlast the tie life of wood ties in similar track conditions

Quite a fascinating presentation by a fascinating individual. Thank you, John!

The April Clinic is scheduled to be “DCC Hands On Sound System Test Track” by Bill Harper and Jon Mann. All are welcome at the Summer Hill Retirement Center in Oak Harbor. The clinic starts at 7:00 pm, but come early to see what goodies show up for sale. Also, several folks get together for dinner at 5:00 pm at San Remo’s on Midway Blvd in Oak Harbor. For more info, email Al Carter or Rich Blake.

Sorry, no pictures this time – our official photographer was off running trains.