Railroad Construction and Maintenance Equipment

I recently completed a "Railway Maintenance" area.  I was constantly taking my track cleaning cars on and off the railway.  I had a corner of the layout that needed "something" to fill the void.  So, I created a "Railway Maintenance" building.  (Granted this is for minor maintenance and acts as an occasional transfer station)   The track cleaning cars reminded me of the spraying equipment that I have seen railroads use to get rid of weeds and brush along the right of way.  And now I don't have to keep taking the cleaning cars in and out of their boxes!

Check out die-cast masters CAT M323F.  I'm very pleased with it.  Being 1:50 scale it doesn't fit on O track very well...but it's close.

I'm also waiting on the Lionel CSX tamper.

Very nice models. If you are going to use the Corman or Hulcher names, you will need to use colors other than blue. The blue color on the cage is used by Donahue Brothers, out of W.Va. Corman uses red as a secondary color on their machines. Hulcher just uses the Cat yellow on theirs. Also, due to heavier engines and cars, most derailment companies are using the bigger 583 Cat sidebooms, although a lot of 572's are still in service, as they are lighter to haul on the highway. Davis crane's derailment division is now using some Leibherr sidebooms. Corman has some JD sidebooms in their fleet now. However, Cat machines are still the main sideboom seen at derailments. Great work though, as those derailment sidebooms are heavily modified as you have done.

Jeff

AMF- Nice maintenance area.  That's cool that it does double duty, and probably reminds you to run the track cleaner.

A. Wells- Yes, I really like mine.  There is also the issue that O scale track doesn't scale out to be 56 1/2".   I will post some pics of the M323F and my NZG Liebherr 922 rail excavators.  The Lionel tamper is cool.

Mowingman - Thanks for the detailed info about the various companies and which machines they are running.  I didn't know about Donahue Brothers, I really like the blue on their machines.  I'm planning on a fictional rail and inland marine services company, which likely purchased the sidebooms used.   I understand that the 572 doesn't require all of the counterweights to be removed for hauling.  I have also seen them used for laying track panel and their original purpose of laying pipe.

I'd really like to see  detailed O scale section trucks, dump trucks, and material / tie trucks which could run on the track.

Here's some equipment at the Point of Rocks Tunnel back in 2015.

@ESPEE 8722

I see that you had mentioned the CAT M323F in your original post, I apologize.  I missed a great opportunity to take photos of a series of CSX rail maintenance equipment (as in rail parked) recently.  I have no idea what some of those machines do and have not seen any elsewhere.

I've bought several of the Diecast Masters CAT equipment pieces and I plan to buy about two or three more.  I've also bought several of the tractor trailer pieces as well for Intermodal staging.

Points of Rocks is an area I've wanted to model in the future.

A. Wells - No worries.  I have a few other DM CAT products and like them all.  I wish they made a standard US intermodal chassis.

Here are some pics of a CSX track gang which was parked on a siding for an electrical transformer yard not far from Point of Rocks in Doubs, MD again back in 2015.  I wish I knew what all of these did, but I bet models are available of all of them in HO.

Here is an NS track gang also from 2015 parked in Chatham, VA.

An interesting mix of equipment working on the CSX line near Brunswick, MD @Lander Rd.  2015 was a busy year for track maintenance. 

Anybody have info on the speeder? 

@ESPEE 8722 - Absolutely fantastic photos!  I've noticed that DieCast Masters is making more and more HO scale products.  I'm hoping to see some fork lifts in their offerings soon.

Check out the individual websites for the varoius derailment contractors. They often show photos of their different machines. There is Hulcher, Corman, Grace, Davis Crane, derailment div., Donahue Bros., Pat Baker Company, and others. There is also Cranemasters, who does not use sidebooms, but uses specially equipped cranes.

Jeff

A. Wells - Thanks for the props.

Mowingman - Thanks again for the info,  I will check out those companies, many of which are new to me.  A pair of the Cranemasters cranes would be nice in 1/48 or 1/50th. It looks like a pair can lift a locomotive.  I think it takes (4) large sidebooms to do the same.     

A few more photos from the same year, the CSX MOW mother-load at ACCA yard, Richmond.

I currently have a Cat 365B L Series II Excavator.  Other items on my wish list include: Cat D7E Track-Type Tractor, Peterbilt 579 Day Cab with Cat Mural trailer, Cat 980K Wheel Loader and Cat 242D Skid Steer Loader.

@ESPEE 8722 - I see a Cat CT660 Dump Truck in DM's Cat catalog (85290c).

A. Wells- Those all sound like something the railroad could use!  I like that the DCM stuff often comes with multiple tool attachments (see below).

As promised, here are the DCM CAT 323F and NZG Liebherr A922 rail excavators,  The tools shown with the CAT came with it (except for the tamper transport stand which I quickly made).  The Liebherr also included a yellow bucket similar to the one that came with the CAT.

BTW, these are all 1:50 scale.

Some more CAT / DCM for you including a 2590 track loader hauling tie plates, and a 320D excavator with chisel getting ready to scale some rocks!  The DCM equipment typically comes with an operator inside.

Norscot CAT 972K wheel loader.  The 980 must be a beast!

Ertl JD 310 back hoe.  Every MOW department needs at least one backhoe.

One of my favorite models of all time, I might even like it more than my Williams scale GG1.  This is a Sword Models Mack Granite Elliot Fuel / Lube truck.  It has tons of details and operating doors.  The last photo is of a smaller CSX Elliot Fuel / Lube truck at Point of Rocks in 2014. 

@ESPEE 8722 posted:

Norscot CAT 972K wheel loader.  The 980 must be a beast!

Maybe I'll just get the 972K instead of the 980 then.

Here is a Hiram Gradall XL 5200 tracked excavator and a photo of a similar XL 4100 rail model near the old Hershey Chocolate plant on the NS Lebanon Valley line in PA in 2014.

I keep trying to follow this thread and I automatically get removed.  Not sure why.  I'm ready to bite the bullet on a CAT 950H Wheel Loader and CAT 963K Track Loader.

You should check out DM's 71067 Dump Truck.  I may get that one.

Some BNSF track gang equipment near Coram, MT in 2016

What's with the mix of concrete ties and wood ties in photo #3?

Another interesting mix of MOW equipment in Alta Vista, VA in 2016.  I think that the short train with the Trackmobile was pouring a concrete retaining wall for the 2nd track between Gretna and Hurt, VA on the NS.

@A. Wells posted:

What's with the mix of concrete ties and wood ties in photo #3?

Ha. Didn't notice that.  I have no idea. 

@ESPEE 8722 posted:

Ha. Didn't notice that.  I have no idea.

Looks like a slow upgrade.  Ever fifth tie for starters.  I have heard this is actually not recommended. Something about the concrete ties being super stiff and the wooden ties having some "give" as you run over them causing a weird undulating feedback to the rolling stock.  Essentially you make everything bounce.  Definitely some neat equipment to look at though.

Here's a UP MOW train on the Tehachapi Loop back in 2016:

Notice how they use different ballast for the cement ties on the left verses the wood ties on the right.

Did someone said ballast?  If no one makes them, roll your own.,,

I think they were just finishing the second track (with concrete ties) when I was there.  Here is another shot looking the other way.

and a derailment at the bottom of the loop, between tunnels 9 and 10.

@CBS072 posted:

Did someone said ballast?  If no one makes them, roll your own.,,

Looks great!  Thanks for posting.

@ESPEE 8722 posted:

Norscot CAT 972K wheel loader.  The 980 must be a beast!

Indeed the 980 machine is a beast in real life.  When I worked at CAT, I learned how to operate this and several other of their machines.   The amount of power these machines have are amazing.  CAT is the premier manufacturer of construction equipment - hands down - bar none.

The Liebherr LTM-1050 3.1 is a 55 ton crane, being used here to unload and position some track panels.  The crane is by NZG Models, the trailer is a Sword Models East 48' flat bed.

@CBS072 posted:

Did someone said ballast?  If no one makes them, roll your own.,,

Great project Keith!   I see a couple in my future.   Did you start with a two bay hopper?  Anxious for more details.  Thanks for the post.

Cheers, Dave

@CBS072 posted:

Did someone said ballast?  If no one makes them, roll your own.,,

Do you know what ballast they use for cement ties?

@ESPEE 8722 - You're going to leave me that Sword flat bed in your Will, right?  I just got my Diecast Masters CAT items today!

@A. Wells - Sure, but it might be a while... In the meanwhile, the Weiss Brothers East step deck flat is pretty nice too.  I will get some pictures.  Please show us your new acquisitions.  Did you get the Western Star dump truck?  I like the white version with the red and blue paint (71034).

@ESPEE 8722 posted:

@A. Wells - Sure, but it might be a while... In the meanwhile, the Weiss Brothers East step deck flat is pretty nice too.  I will get some pictures.  Please show us your new acquisitions.  Did you get the Western Star dump truck?  I like the white version with the red and blue paint (71034).

I did not but it's on my list.  I have to pace myself with purchases now.   I have the boxes here and plan to make some time this evening to take photos.

SPEC CAST MODEL CON 014  1:50