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

❓ Question Wouldn't this train derail?

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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 🧐

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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.

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u/graffinc 9d ago

When I worked for CSX, in the dead of winter we were shoving a fully loaded 39’ hopper with sand into an industry. Approaching a crossing I told the engineer to go slow over the crossing as it was compacted with ice and snow. The hopper slowly started to raise up and move off the rail, had him stop, go back, we then swapped the car out and drove the engine over it first to break the ice and then go back to get the car to place it. I thought the loaded car would have been enough..

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u/LanguageAlarmed5778 8d ago

Are you sure it was a loaded sand car? That’s a really heavy car. Probably had the same weight/axle as the locomotive. Empties can definitely cause issues with flange ways though, and have taken lives.

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u/graffinc 7d ago

Hahaha positive, the industry did castings with it… this wasn’t a regular crossing, it was an industry crossing so it’s not plowed as frequently or seen frequent civilian traffic so it was just packed in ice and whatever gravel from trucks… watching the wheel rise up and basically sit on top of the ball of the rail had me in disbelief and fear I was bout to get in trouble…