2.1.14.8 Maintenance of Way - Ditching Train

Modeling Information

It is the duty of the roadmaster and division engineer  to frequently ride over their territory on fast trains and note the location of rough track. This information is at once conveyed to the section men so that the defects will be remedied.  

See Circular 8.2 Ditching Operations for more information.

The WWSL

The Station Agent will identify the need for MOW Ditching operations. The agent will coordinate MOW movement with the Dispatcher.

The WWSL will use a MOW extra train for the ditching operations. The train will consist of a Jordon Spreader, a locomotive crane, a gondola and a tool car. 

See Train Information Card

Ditching.-During the winter dirt accumulates in the side ditches in cuts and as soon as the snow disappears all ditches should be cleaned. This is a work of considerable magnitude and may be done by one of several methods. If the quantity of dirt to be removed is not large and the cut is shallow, so that the dirt can be thrown up to the top of the original ground, ditching by hand with a shovel is economical. 􀂎y this method one man can handle 10 or 12 cu. yd. of dirt per day. Dirt should never be thrown on the slopes of the cut, as ensuing rains will wash it back into the ditch. On lines where there is very little traffic and where the amount of dirt to be handled is small the dirt may be shoveled on a push-car and taken out by hand. This costs more than the first method and can be used only on light-traffic lines. It is usually ad­visable to ditch large cuts on main line either by the work-train and extra gang or with ditching-machines. When the work-train is used the dirt is shoveled upon flat cars from which it is unloaded with a plow or by hand. The plow is more economical if a large amount of dirt must be moved.
After the first cleaning of the ditches in the spring, the section-fore­man must watch them constantly and see that they are kept clean. In the fall all ditches and waterways should be gone over and given a final cleaning and put in repair for winter. Clean, deep ditches appreciably reduce the trouble from heaving. Particular attention should be given to the drainage at switches, frogs, interlocking plants, and railway and highway crossings.