May/June 2023 - 23

" Once you add in logistics and
delays, we get 60 to 90 minutes
of grinding time on average, "
Bailey said.
With experience, Sound Transit
has found ways to allocate more
time for grinding. During the 25
days of grinding it will do this
year, Sound Transit will begin
single tracking train operation
to create six-hour work windows,
which will allow four hours of
grinding - roughly 2.5 to four
times the amount of grinding time
than in the past, Bailey said.
While rail grinding has been
effective in controlling defects on
most of the system, the rail in the
direct fixation track on the elevated
Tukwila segment presents an
ongoing challenge.
" Once a defect forms, it just
propagates, " Bailey said.
Dye penetrant tests of rail samples
have shown studs and spalls
are two- to six-mm deep. ARM
and Sound Transit experimented
with milling equipment earlier
this year to address the defects.
" Grinding typically can't remove
enough metal to remove
them. We'll have to wait a bit
to see if milling was able to get
deep enough to remove or at least
control the defects, " Bailey said.
Rail grinding, historically, has
not been effective in embedded
track. The six-inch stones found
on the typical transit grinders
are not able to effectively address
the head of the rail in embedded
track. Consequently, ARM will
utilize a smaller, hi-rail grinder
with four-inch stones for this part
of the job. ARM is also working
with Sound Transit to determine
the cause of a few rail breaks that
occurred during a cold snap in
the Tukwila segment during the
past winter.
" The current grinding program
has been going well, " Bailey said.
" Noise levels, overall, are reduced. "
" Sound Transit's success in
looking beyond the symptoms
into studies and consultations
with people around the world is
a case in point that no individual
or agency has all the answers, "
Rajaram said. " It's all about
having knowledgeable people
on your team and identifying
the people who can answer your
questions. As an agency you need
to develop strong industry relationships
so when issues come
up, you know the right people
to contact. You can't put a value
on that. "
About the author
Bob Tuzik is publisher of Interface,
the Journal of Wheel/Rail Interaction
and executive co-program director of
Wheel/Rail Seminars.
Low Profile Bi-Directional Portable Derail
The LP-TSX bi-directional derail incorporates the same, proven, overall
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from either direction. There is no wedge to reposition, nor will the derail
slide on the rail, if struck from the trailing end.
We'll have to
wait a bit to
see if milling
was able
to get deep
enough to
remove or at
least control
the defects. "
Jason Bailey,
Sound Transit
track engineering
manager - design
engineering and
construction
management
Light weight - approximately 60 pounds w/o flag
Can be padlocked in the derailing position
Resists sliding - unique, patented, design holds derail securely to rail
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For more information, visit www.MassTransitmag.com/12078201
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May/June 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May/June 2023
