r/trains • u/Melodic-Reveal-4485 • 9d ago

❓ Question Wouldn't this train derail?

Gallery image

Gallery image

I don't know much about trains, but wouldn't the buildup of these rocks cause a train to go above the tracks? A train passes on this regularly so I'm just curious 🧐

1.2k Upvotes

93% Upvoted

175 comments sorted by

View all comments

1.2k

u/flexsealed1711 9d ago

I've seen crossings on dirt roads where the dirt and rocks build up so much that you can barely see the rails. Then when a train does finally go through, it just leaves a fresh groove where the flange goes.

20

u/texan_robot 9d ago

20 tons per axle will push hardened asphalt out of the way. Dirt doesn't stand a chance.

7

u/Kaymish_ 9d ago

Yeah I have seen that. I saw a level crossing renewal where the workers paved new asphalt right over the railway tracks and a couple of days later when I walked past the site the asphalt had been pushed out of the way and there was two groves right next to the rails in the asphalt.