New Shop Track Construction
Phase I: 2004
At the beginning of September, 2004, WK&S crews began the long awaited task of building track into the shop building. Phase I of the project involved realigning the pit track and installing a new switch on the passing track. The new switch will feed the pit track as well as the shop. The red caboose shown below is spotted over the pit. The pit track from there forward has been removed as well as the pit track switch. New ties are in place on the effected section of the passing track. Rails are being installed and the new switch (which is the old pit track switch) is taking shape in the foreground. The new switch is about a hundred feet south of the where the pit track switch was previously located.
New shop track switch being assembled on the passing track.
The ties and rails are back in place on the passing track and the grade to the shop is being excavated.
September 18th, 2004 was the morning after the remnants of Hurricane Ivan passed through the area. No damage was incurred and the water drained off by the end of the day.
The morning after Hurricane Ivan.
Spiking on the passing track.
Tamping on September 19th. The passing track was back in service by the end of the day.
Track construction caused some operational changes during the month of September. With the lower passing track out of service, the equipment that's usually stored on the upper passing track was moved down so that the upper passing track could be used for run-arounds. Trains returning to Kempton were run-around on the upper passing track and then pushed into the station to unload passengers
Stored equipment has been moved to the lower passing track.
An unusual sight - the upper passing track is clear and available for run-around moves.
LNE caboose #512 is "stranded" on the pit track. Construction is to the right of the photo. Once realigned, the pit track will connect with the new shop track.
A shot from the cab of #65. Work on the passing track and new shop track switch is complete. Passenger train operations are back to normal.
By October 31, 2004 the new pit track switch was taking shape. The track crew is busy assembling the frog. This switch was part of the interchange between the Lehigh & New England and the Lehigh Valley railroads at Stockertown, Pennsylvania. The switch and its original Ramapo switch stand were reused with only minor modifications.
Assembling the pit track frog.
Preparing to cut a rail.
Just a few inches need to be removed.
The cut is followed by new bolt holes.
The pit track was reconnected by November 21. Tamping was complete and the pit track was back in service by the end of November.
The pit track has been reconnected and awaits final surfacing.
Work paused for the winter and other projects. WK&S volunteers constructed two switches and many yards of track in about three months worth of weekends. The pit track is longer and straighter, allowing for at least another car-length of storage. And the new switch lead points tantalizingly toward the shop. The picture below was taken on the morning of Saturday December 4th, 2004. GE #7258 sits on the realigned pit track. Note the layer of frost that has been melted from the switch points by a small portable kerosene switch heater hidden under the rail. Note the wisp of steam from the back of the coach as the train is warmed up for a day of Santa Specials.
Progress as of December, 2004.