A #15 switch at the rail yard had been damaged. Since this switch was located at a rail yard it was close to several other tracks that were busy with traffi c. The railroad needed an experienced crew to get the switch changed out quickly and safely. Fortunately, they had a maintenance-ofway contract with Hulcher Services and brought in a Hulcher crew to get the work done.

Hulcher Services took care of the switch change with an array of three track excavators and a wheel loader. Two excavators pulled the old switch from its spot and moved it safely to the side for disposal. The wheel loader came in to smooth the site and clear out the old ballast so the new switch would lay evenly on the surface. The three excavators and wheel loader then worked in concert to lift and place the new switch precisely in line with the rest of the track. The wheel loader finished Hulcher’s work, bucking the ballast for the railroad to tamp into place. The entire project was performed in close coordination with the railroad to minimize interfering with its ongoing operations at the yard.

In six hours the damaged switch had been removed and replaced with the professionalism and seamless proficiency Hulcher has developed through many years of experience. The railroad has a long relationship with Hulcher and relies on the skill of its operators to perform a wide range of maintenance-of-way projects like this one.