Let It Flow
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
LORAM DC_MAX
LORAM
ATLANTA –– From the October 2024 Issue of Railway Track & Structures
To prevent flooding and misalignment of the track, ditching work is a necessary area of track maintenance.
To allow rainwater to better flow through and away from the track structure, railroads need specialized track equipment to maintain the ballast and prevent flooding. Loram Maintenance of Way told RT&S about its suite of products that are created to “maintain ditches to keep water flowing away from the ballast section of track.” Depending on the situation, there is a variety of equipment available in the industry for railroads to choose from. What follows is a breakdown of Loram Maintenance of Way’s offerings in this area of track maintenance.
For smaller ditching tasks, and work around near track obstructions, the Self-Powered Slot (SPS) is the ideal solution. For high performance out of face ditching the Badger Ditcher is the product of choice. For projects requiring high speed excavation and work around obstacles the Ditcher Max can meet all ditching needs. All Loram’s ditching solutions are self-propelled and can travel at speeds up to 45 miles per hour.
The SPS is capable removing, and placing, almost any type of material within the reach of the excavator. The SPS can excavate to create/clean ditches at up to 250 tons of material per hour and work around, or remove, any obstacles that may be present to create a clean ditch line. Up to 550 tons of excavated material can be stored on the consist for offload at an appropriate location.
The Ditcher is the highest performance machine in the market for creating consistent ditches along track. The Ditcher can excavate up to 1,000 tons of material per hour and discharge excavated material up to 35 feet from track centerline. The ditcher is ideal for cutting new ditches, terracing slopes, and cleaning eroded material out of existing ditches.
The DC Max combines the excavating speed of the Ditcher with the flexibility of a SPS for a premium ditching solution. Utilizing a DC Max the excavator can remove obstructions from the planned work location for the Ditcher so consistent and smooth graded cuts can be made regardless of the starting condition of the work area. While excavating, the ditcher can discharge material up to 35 feet from track centerline or into the gondola cars that are in consist. Up to 225 tons of excavated material can be stored on the consist for offload at an appropriate location.
