Western Railroad Discussion > Is the UP/Harsco TRT-909 working now?

Where is the TRT-909?

Mike Root
Madras, OR

The last report I see from a TO search was July, 2013, on Donner Pass, so could be anywhere now. Someone will know!

mapboy

The UP has been doing a lot of track work in the Shawmut-Gila area (Arizona) in the past couple of weeks, so it may still be in that area.

The big S-curve at Shawmut now has new rail, ballast and concrete ties.

Ted

According to RT&S the trade magazine, TRT-909 as of April 7th is now in eastern Nebraska (Arlington)
working east to Missouri Valley Iowa on a project that should be done by the end of April.

Larry Dodgion
Wilsonville, OR



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/14/14 14:10 by truxtrax.

I thought they had a couple of TRT909's.

lloydnet Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I thought they had a couple of TRT909's.

I believe they have just one TRT-909 machines. This is the machine that spreads the rail, removes old wooden ties, inserts concrete ties and puts the rail back on the ties. Thus the TRT-909 is used to rehabilitation existing track with new ties. The Union Pacific has several of the machines that lay out new concrete ties on virgin roadbed for new construction. These machines are usually tractor pulled instead of self-propelled.

BNSF6400 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> lloydnet Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I thought they had a couple of TRT909's.
>
> I believe they have just one TRT-909 machines.
> This is the machine that spreads the rail, removes
> old wooden ties, inserts concrete ties and puts
> the rail back on the ties. Thus the TRT-909 is
> used to rehabilitation existing track with new
> ties. The Union Pacific has several of the
> machines that lay out new concrete ties on virgin
> roadbed for new construction. These machines are
> usually tractor pulled instead of self-propelled.


If they only have one would explain why it is in such high demand. I have watched it in action a few times up close and have to say that it is fascinating to see in operation. I wonder if other railroads have them or if it is exclusive to UP since they invented / or came up with the concept for it?

Harsco has another machine called the P811. I believe this is what BNSF and Amtrak were using. The TRT-909 is a more modern version. The New Track Construction machine is what the UP was using for the new double track project in Arizona and I believe it was used in Wyoming also. BNSF was using one in Kansas City recently. Five operators can lay a mile of CWR and concrete ties in a day.

Mike Root
Madras, OR