Railroad track shifter - GIF and photos

**Jon** · Apr 11, 2020, 02:14 PM

Railroad track shifter.

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...1_fullsize.jpg

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...2_fullsize.jpg

More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yallourn_900mm_Railway

Previously:

Railroad track laying machine - GIF
Train track removing machine - GIF
Richard Feynman explains: What keeps a train on the track?
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...773#post133169
Fixing buckled train track - GIF
Railroad track cutting fail - GIF

**IntheGroove** · Apr 11, 2020, 06:23 PM

That is one slick machine...

**hemmjo** · Oct 28, 2023, 04:47 AM

That is fascinating. So many questions now!! Apparently they do that kind of thing after enough to have build that machine to use.

Just from looking, it is difficult to imagine how it can generate enough lateral force to move the track rather than just following the track.

Do you suppose that track was pushed out of alignment by flood waters, or earthquake? Perhaps by coastal erosion? Or did they just want the track in a different location?

Is the train electric with those uprights attached to the track ties?

In the bottom photo, those are some long crossties. They appear to span at least 4 rails, possibly 6. The machine appears to be moving all 6 at the same time.

Crazy!!

**IntheGroove** · Oct 28, 2023, 08:03 AM

"Do you suppose that track was pushed out of alignment by flood waters, or earthquake? Perhaps by coastal erosion? Or did they just want the track in a different location?"

It appears that that is in an open pit mine...