GO Transit: Service thread (including extensions)

[crs1026]

Michael Lindsay, speaking this morning at the Mx Board meeting very thoroughly went over what happened in the USRC incident last week.

Short version, a number of lag screws failed and were sheered off due to fatigue, the rail was out by 1 and 1/8th inches causing the derailment. Lots more detail to be had though, including info on a problematic finding that the number of screws required at some locations to keeps the rails working as they should was 1/2 what it was supposed to be.

A very forthright and articulate explanation, both on the USRC incident and also preceding remarks re Lines 5 and 6.

Full credit to Michael Lindsay for this one. The contrast to Phil Verster couldn't be more profound.

PS: Lag screws are indeed track fasteners, on major trackwork such as switches and curves it's common to use screws rather than track spikes to give greater strength in all planes of movement.

Whatever gaps in track inspection practices this revealed are hopefully being corrected.

- Paul

 

[smallspy]

By lag screws, does he mean spike in the ties? cc @smallspy @crs1026

Lag screws may be correct in this context.

If the track's structure is configured to use Pandrol Clips or E-clips to hold the rail in place, than the plates will use lag bolts to secure them to the ties rather than spikes. I can't recall if track 3 is configured like this, but there certainly are some tracks in the USRC that are.

Dan