Railway Track & Structures - August 2008 - (Page 26)

Choosing the best m/w machinery media that teach the operation, location of parts and required maintenance. Also, a module needs to be generic in nature so that it can be used by all who purchase the equipment.” “We would seek creature comforts such as air, heat, light etc.,” Keller of MRL said. Drake of NS said: “The ideal machine would never break down or wear out. If it did, it would tell you what was wrong and have its own spare parts. The ideal machine would require little maintenance and possibly no operator. It would be highly productive, with the ability to rapidly get to the worksite and require little preparation to begin work. The machine would have the capability of reporting its activity and updating track maintenance databases.” “At Union Pacific, we have always focused more on functionality rather than on specification, with the exception of safety items,” Domski said. “Some big areas for improved function are performance, reliability, automation and simplicity. Having said that, we review our fleet annually with an eye on buying similar machines to leverage the cost and reliability benefits that can be obtained from identical machines. Benefits here include inventory and training for operators and mechanics.” Beneficial big-ticket machines Looking at recent purchases, what big-ticket piece of equipment has offered the most benefit to your railroad? What about among lower-priced equipment? “The multi-role tamping and stabilizing machinery and ballast recovery and redistribution machinery have proven our best bigticket items,” Falkenstein of Amtrak said. “Rubber-tired hi-railequipped excavators that are equipped for multi-tasking, magnet, grapple, ditching and brush cutting have proven to be our best lower priced purchase.” “BNSF is investing in high-speed surfacing with the Plasser 3X tamping machine and ballast management technology,” Upward said. “We currently have two 3X tampers designed for concrete tie track and one 3X tamper that is designed for use on wood tie track. We will take delivery of an additional 3X wood tie machine in early 2009. Hydraulic tools continue to add the most low-cost value to our maintenance forces, allowing them to be more productive while reducing the possibility of injury.” Graham of CPR said: “At the expensive end, a Dynacat assigned to high-production tie crews minimizes slow order risk and maximizes productivity. On the other side, I would point to lower-priced maintenance tools for plugging and for elastic fasteners.” “CSXT started standardizing on our needs for off-track equipment (excavators, dozer, front-end loaders, backhoes),” said Robey. “It will take a few more years, but we are heading in the right direction. In turn, we are able to get discounted pricing on new equipment. Also, we are able to get replacement parts from local dealers and get the machines repaired faster. The handling of parts is reduced because the cores are returned to the local dealer. Additionally, we are getting field service support from the local dealer and access to OEM training modules and simulators. This same manufacturer is helping with on-track- 5. 26 Railway Track & Structures August 2008 www.rtands.com http://www.rtands.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Railway Track & Structures - August 2008

Railway Track & Structures - August 2008 Contents On Track Industry Today Supplier News AREMA News NRC News TTCI R&D Wish List: What Chief Engineers Really Want in M/W Machinery Keeping Ballast in Shape Amtrak Turns to Sophisticated System to Manage NEC Assets Supplier Profiles Products and Literature People Calendar Sales Representatives Website Directory Advertisers Index Professional Directory Classified Advertising Chicago Perspective

Railway Track & Structures - August 2008

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