I never knew that plastic ties were a thing until now, and from what I can tell they seem to be infinitely better than wood and concrete ties. Hopefully more of these innovative ties can be implemented across the country.
Rockport is an interesting location for another reason. Back when the trains were steam locomotive hauled there was usually a turntable at the end of the line to turn the locomotives for their return trips as steamers were not usually operated backwards. Rockport instead had a loop track. If you look at Google earth you can see where it was in relation to the yard. The name of the Rockport interlocking is still called CP (control point) Loop.
They really want to avoid concrete ties ever since the whole debacle with the old colony lines and their prematurely failed concrete ties. However, the greenbush line still has concrete ties since they were from a different batch, and the Greenbush branch also has high speed moveable frog point turnouts.
composite ties are not fun to work with. much heavier and prone to cracking and breaking up upon installation. there's also composite ties at Norfolk station.
Availability is key. I don't think plastic ties are going to replace wooden ties for the same reason that concrete ties didn't, wood is simply so much cheaper than plastic and concrete, is greater in abundance, which makes it easier to obtain, and is incredibly cheap to buy as well.
Labor isn't getting any cheaper. Swapping wooden ties every ten years takes labor - twice the labor of swapping a plastic or concrete tie once every twenty years. FEC is getting 40+ years out of concrete ties. For a commuter line or light rail that won't see axle loadings like a class 1, it makes sense to try for some longevity.
In my opinion, it was good PR on the MBTA's part to install these ties, since when I drive down Nugent Stretch I see the new ties and feel Rockport got something for being train-less for 2 years.
Not all rails are attached to ties -- in a few places, they are attached directly to larger concrete blocks or to a concrete structure. See Ballastless track on Wikipedia -- some of the variants have concrete blocks small enough to count as ties, but some of them have concrete blocks large enough to replace many ties, or (going the other way) have small concrete blocks that do not connect directly between the tracks, but instead act as part of the system for attaching the track to a concrete structure (in the photo, a tunnel floor).
I was just at Appleton farms in Ipswich and it has great train watching potential! I saw 3 MBTA commuter rail trains go by at track speed under a cute bridge
Atlas Design team: "what if we made 1/1 scale flex track?"
MBTA: "I'm in."
Lmao
I never knew that plastic ties were a thing until now, and from what I can tell they seem to be infinitely better than wood and concrete ties. Hopefully more of these innovative ties can be implemented across the country.
Agreed! I guess only time can tell
Rockport is an interesting location for another reason. Back when the trains were steam locomotive hauled there was usually a turntable at the end of the line to turn the locomotives for their return trips as steamers were not usually operated backwards. Rockport instead had a loop track. If you look at Google earth you can see where it was in relation to the yard. The name of the Rockport interlocking is still called CP (control point) Loop.
@@MsCriticalthinker201 yes indeed! I walk around the old loop at loop pond, the right of way is now a walking path. Super cool historyC isnt it?!
They really want to avoid concrete ties ever since the whole debacle with the old colony lines and their prematurely failed concrete ties. However, the greenbush line still has concrete ties since they were from a different batch, and the Greenbush branch also has high speed moveable frog point turnouts.
composite ties are not fun to work with. much heavier and prone to cracking and breaking up upon installation. there's also composite ties at Norfolk station.
Interesting, and good to know! Ill definatly do another video about these.
I'm biased though haha
Availability is key. I don't think plastic ties are going to replace wooden ties for the same reason that concrete ties didn't, wood is simply so much cheaper than plastic and concrete, is greater in abundance, which makes it easier to obtain, and is incredibly cheap to buy as well.
Yea this is certinley true.
Labor isn't getting any cheaper.
Swapping wooden ties every ten years takes labor - twice the labor of swapping a plastic or concrete tie once every twenty years. FEC is getting 40+ years out of concrete ties.
For a commuter line or light rail that won't see axle loadings like a class 1, it makes sense to try for some longevity.
This was great. It is the “T” so of course we expect Breakdowns. Lol
In my opinion, it was good PR on the MBTA's part to install these ties, since when I drive down Nugent Stretch I see the new ties and feel Rockport got something for being train-less for 2 years.
Not all rails are attached to ties -- in a few places, they are attached directly to larger concrete blocks or to a concrete structure. See Ballastless track on Wikipedia -- some of the variants have concrete blocks small enough to count as ties, but some of them have concrete blocks large enough to replace many ties, or (going the other way) have small concrete blocks that do not connect directly between the tracks, but instead act as part of the system for attaching the track to a concrete structure (in the photo, a tunnel floor).
Pause wait, isn't plastic bad for the environment tho-
Well yeah but its recycled plastic, so like they take bad plastic and reuse it so ir doesnt just sit in a landfill forever
Thanks for another episode in this series!
No problem! Glad you enjoyed!!
I was just at Appleton farms in Ipswich and it has great train watching potential! I saw 3 MBTA commuter rail trains go by at track speed under a cute bridge
Oh cool! Ive seen that spot ur talking about on google maps.
I go to Ballardvale station at times I don't hear the defect. detector anymore - did they shut it down or change the frequency. ?
Im not sure, hanvent been there since 202 (it worked then). Maybe it was taken out
@@BostonByRails It's been broadcasting for the last couple of days.
Like 8 very nice video, greetings 🚂👍🙋♂️
Do you plan to visit ballardvale again soon to see the new csx over D2
Maybe, i just had myself a huge csx trip tho, idk how much i can take after folkston
MBTA should send all 1100s Erie Pennsylvania to be rebuilt the right way
That was an amazing video 😊