Complex Geometry
TGC4, one of the Subway's track geometry cars, rounds the curve on the connecting track between the Canarsie and Jamaica Lines. I happened to be out at Broadway Junction yesterday and spotted it waiting for a signal to proceed from the Jamaica Line to the Canarsie Line towards Rockaway Pkwy, and it returned to Broadway Junction as I was walking to an appointment in the area. Conveniently, the round trip time between Broadway Junction and 8th Ave was 15 minutes longer than my appointment!
The car roams the system performing various inspection functions, making three trips on every mainline track every year. The floodlights on the front illuminate the track and tunnel (and blinding anyone on the platform that looks up expecting their train), a camera records video along the line, a laser scanner takes cross-cuts of the structure, it has lasers below measuring rail wear and profile, it performs ultrasonic testing of the rail, scanning for internal cracks and defects in the rail, it measures and analyzes the geometry of the track to detect kinks, dips, and other alignment defects, and it has camera and machine vision systems to detect missing clips and broken tie plates.
TGC4
Broadway Junction Station
Canarsie Line - BMT
Complex Geometry
TGC4, one of the Subway's track geometry cars, rounds the curve on the connecting track between the Canarsie and Jamaica Lines. I happened to be out at Broadway Junction yesterday and spotted it waiting for a signal to proceed from the Jamaica Line to the Canarsie Line towards Rockaway Pkwy, and it returned to Broadway Junction as I was walking to an appointment in the area. Conveniently, the round trip time between Broadway Junction and 8th Ave was 15 minutes longer than my appointment!
The car roams the system performing various inspection functions, making three trips on every mainline track every year. The floodlights on the front illuminate the track and tunnel (and blinding anyone on the platform that looks up expecting their train), a camera records video along the line, a laser scanner takes cross-cuts of the structure, it has lasers below measuring rail wear and profile, it performs ultrasonic testing of the rail, scanning for internal cracks and defects in the rail, it measures and analyzes the geometry of the track to detect kinks, dips, and other alignment defects, and it has camera and machine vision systems to detect missing clips and broken tie plates.
TGC4
Broadway Junction Station
Canarsie Line - BMT