Recently, I was walking along a CSX track (formerly Conrail, originally New
York Central/one of its local predecessors), cutting across the Ft. Drum
military reservation. This track has 100-120 lb. welded rail and tie
plates, indicating that it was rebuilt completely within the past 15 to 20
years; it is an active line, with 4-7 trains per day, and traffic expected
to increase following the June 1st division of Conrail by CSX and Norfolk
Southern.
A number of ties in this track have date nails, ranging from "23" (1923) to
"31" (1931). These would follow the mid-century custom of railroads dating
ties with these nails, to help schedule tie replacement. Yet these ties do
not appear to be 60-70 years old, being in fair condition, not thoroughly
rotted, and some had fresh-appearing creosote. I also have trouble in
believing that timbers, even thoroughly creosoted timbers, could last that
long, with sufficient structural integrity to work as railroad ties, or to
survive replacement in a complete track rebuild as happened on this line
when the welded rail went in.
So, has anyone heard of:
(1.) Date nails being moved from old ties to new ties during track
rebuilds?
(2.) Any sort of process for renewing railroad ties, in place, in track
structures?
It bothers me--I've always used tie date nails as an example of a dated
artifact, like a coin, which provides a very tight TPQ.
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