New track at Strasburg?

Miketherailfan · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2011 10:18 pm

Some photos were posted recently of what appear to be new track construction going on at the Strasburg Railroad. Photos can be viewed here: http://Forums.Railfan.net/forums.cgi?bo ... start=1100

Is there anyone at liberty to disclose a bit of information? ;)

daylight4449 · **Posted:** Tue May 03, 2011 6:59 am

I'm putting my money down on a loop track. Strasburg does see occasional freight car unloading/storage, so it would make sense that you need an extra spot for those cars.

Erik Ledbetter · **Posted:** Tue May 03, 2011 9:49 am

BIDS track for Mr. Weaver's Wonderful Patent Plastic Pellet Transfer Machine?

S. Weaver · **Posted:** Tue May 03, 2011 5:12 pm

Erik Ledbetter wrote:

BIDS track for Mr. Weaver's Wonderful Patent Plastic Pellet Transfer Machine?

Hah-hah! Close, Erik, and "Mr. Daylight." It's a new sixteen-spot team track to handle growing traffic, half of which will be paved to rail height in order to preserve SRC parking during our busy times.

MFolland · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:11 am **Posts:** 7

Out of curiousity, if Strasburg is seeing an influx in freight traffic, are employees getting covered under RRR?

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Wed May 04, 2011 7:02 am

MFolland wrote:

Out of curiousity, if Strasburg is seeing an influx in freight traffic, are employees getting covered under RRR?

AFAIK they always have been. Or at least had that option.

Mr. Ed · **Posted:** Wed May 04, 2011 10:05 am

Wasn't there talk of installing a turntable at the facility? I was just there on the 22nd standing right where they are working.

Later!
Mr. Ed

S. Weaver · **Posted:** Wed May 04, 2011 10:58 am

@ MFolland, always have.

@ Mr Ed, not for a while.

6-18003 · **Joined:** Thu Jun 17, 2010 9:31 am **Posts:** 728

What's the cost to lay track these days? Figure a passing spur on a main line, big enough to accomodate an engine, tender, and 3-4 coaches?

daylight4449 · **Posted:** Thu May 05, 2011 7:03 am

6-18003 wrote:

What's the cost to lay track these days? Figure a passing spur on a main line, big enough to accomodate an engine, tender, and 3-4 coaches?

I think that Strasburg trains run in the area of 7-8 coaches. Might want to double that length, and accomidate for a tender. So about 10 coaches in length.

S. Weaver · **Posted:** Thu May 05, 2011 10:13 am

Good ballpark is $165/foot for new sidings. Your mileage may vary ...

daylight4449 · **Posted:** Thu May 05, 2011 11:01 am

S. Weaver wrote:

Good ballpark is $165/foot for new sidings. Your mileage may vary ...

So, if i'm doing my math right, that's $1,650 for every ten feet. Man, the depot is going to need to raise some money for a display track...

Bobharbison · **Joined:** Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:42 pm **Posts:** 3011

S. Weaver wrote:

Good ballpark is $165/foot for new sidings. Your mileage may vary ...

Keep in mind, that's on a "prepared subgrade", i.e. you have a piece of ground that's to grade and able to support the track. If you need any earthwork, that's in addition to the $165 per foot.

On the other hand, if it's simply a display track, you may be able use second hand (relay) materials, and cut that $165 cost significatly in some cases.

Mr. Ed · **Posted:** Thu May 05, 2011 12:41 pm

Thanks S!

Later!
Mr. Ed

cjvrr · **Posted:** Thu May 05, 2011 1:54 pm

I just had 21,000+ feet of County owned track rebuilt for $115 per foot. New sidings were $130.00 per foot including excavation. This was in northern NJ. Used No.1 relay 136 lb rail.

New #10 turnouts ran $55,000.00 each, 10 total on the job.

Surfacing and aligning track cost another $5.00 per foot and ballast was $20.00 per ton, installed. Excavation was $30.00 per cubic yard.