Railroad Track Removal
Iron Horse is almost entirely funded from residual proceeds on our track removal operations. We are experts at track removal. Our personnel have removed well over 100 miles of track along all varieties of railroad corridors and environmental conditions. You are assured to be working with a professional, competent, and experienced organization that will lead to success in your project. Read on for more details on our track removal process.
Track Removal Operations
Track removal planning begins on our first visit to your site to assess the environmental concerns and access locations, along with the condition of the materials and any potential hazards. A preliminary take-out plan in made that is fine tuned before actual operations begin.
Removal of Spikes and Bolts
We have various ways to remove spikes and bolts. We select the appropriate methods for the site and materials. Ten to twenty thousand spikes are used per mile of track! Spike removal is the most important step in the track dismantling process. Our goals are safety, productivity, and maximizing any reuse purposes for the track materials. All spikes are also removed from scrap ties so the scrap ties may be ground and used in biomass power plants. IHPS has two hydraulic spike pulling machines to assist in the spike pulling effort.
Rail and Other Track Material (OTM) Steel
The rail is now ready to have the connecting steel bars removed. The bars are removed and all steel is picked up from the right of way leaving the ties clean and ready for removal. Rail and other steel is sorted and stacked or packaged for shipment.
Tie Removal
This is a lengthy process with over 2,500 large railroad ties per mile of track. The ties are carefully gathered and sorted based on their condition and potential future use. No tie material is left behind. Ties without reuse capability are picked up and packaged and used for fuel at biomass power generation plants. The rest of the ties are sorted, packages, and then loaded out by truck for reuse. Ties are never left behind or dumped!
Site Restoration
Once the right of way is cleared, a walkthrough is done to pick-up any remaining small items. The ballast is left smooth and clean ready for use as a trail or to provide better site access for maintenance and other purposes. The track materials have been put to better use, and you have a more useful and productive real estate asset.
Trail Development
IHPS also provides rail trail improvements on some removal projects. The improvements may include extra grading and compaction work in spots as necessary, extra vegetation removal, signage, historical information, benches, waste receptacles, etc.
