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Although this is CWR there are many bolted joints around switches.
Bruce says that these plates will break first on one side of the rail and
then the other, but not both at once. If you find both plates broken,
your inspection has been delayed too long or a previous inspection missed
something.
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Bruce checks the gauge on the curve leading from the switch into the long
siding. This is a common area to find the rail spread. Gauge is
56 1/2 inches with a maximum tolerance to 57 1/2 inches. The wider the
rails are apart the more effort it takes to move the train.
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This is an insulated joint that uses pieces of tough plastic to electrically
separate the two adjacent rails. CN procedures require the inspector
to paint insulated joints blue. The idea is to help operating crews
identify them, and if you were close enough to paint it blue then you were
close enough to properly inspect it.
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These wires help assure good electrical contact between
all the rail and switch elements.
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Depending on the switch position, the train stays left on the main line or goes
into the siding on the right. For either event the wheels pass over a
"X" in the rail called
a frog. When staying on the main line, the guard rail (left end of the
tape measure) must be adjusted to guide the wheel flanges to the left of the
point within the frog.
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The point itself often wears down and must be repaired using a welder to add
new metal that is then ground into final shape and tolerance.
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Due to the stress on all switch elements, large screw bolts replace spikes
which wiggle loose. Bruce easily pulls this bolt from the tie
demonstrating that it too has come loose over time. A repair that will
last five years is made by pouring a special epoxy into the hole and
screwing the bolt back into the tie.
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The metal building on the left houses switch control and signal relays.
Bruce is discussing the need for good ballast and drainage around switches
to prevent water puddles. A water puddle could become a block of ice
freezing the switch solid thus making it inoperable.
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In winter the heater shed in the background blows hot air into the switch
points and through the ducts Bruce is standing on keeping all the moving
cross bars free of snow.
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Careful adjustment of the cross bars and good alignment extends the life of
the switch points. Note the bar (underfoot) on the outside of the rail
used to keep the ties properly spaced.
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The switch heater uses the propane tank right. Thank you Bruce Easton for the
lesson!
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POP QUIZ - What switch part / assembly is missing from this photo?
Hint: the guards for the missing part are still in place.
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