Union Pacific completes track machine overhaul

Union Pacific Railroad's equipment shop in Denver recently marked the rebuilding of a continuous-action tamper 09-16 Dynacat track machine.

UP's engineering team rebuilt the first of 32 large track maintenance machines to make them more user-friendly, enhance safety and simplify repairs, according to an article on UP's website.

"This is the most extensive undertaking attempted at the shop and the first of its kind, the result of more than 16,000 reportable injury-free hours of work," said Casey Prewitt, UP's senior manager-maintenance of way shop. "It’s the first time a Dynacat has been rebuilt outside of Plasser American’s facility in Chesapeake, Virginia."

Continuous-action tampers are used after maintenance is performed and before traffic resumes as part of the track surfacing process. The machine’s work heads move independently, from tie to tie, executing a tamping maneuver to pack ballast into place.

UP's engineering team, machine operators and mechanics worked with Plasser American engineers to reconfigure the tamper to meet the railroad's specifications.

To efficiently replicate the process on future rebuilds, the team documented how the machine came apart. Working with a third-party engineering consultant, shop workers used 3D-imaging tools to create before and after engineered drawings and capture part placement.

Over the next several years, UP plans to upgrade another 31 continuous-action tampers.