The Panel system was brought into the Shaws Cove New London Ct.interlocking for its' first use. This system is about as close to a toy as a grownup can get and still be working. According to one of the remote operators it is like a grownups version of a Transformer. The unit comes in via train and is cut off. The section pictured drops 4 legs and stands up (as shown) and the railcar section drives off out of the way. The leg section then lowers, and is clamped onto the rails, The rails are cut at both ends. The leg section then extends upwards lifting the rail and ties with it.The Railcar section then pulls back up to the cut rail end, drops tank tracks (like bulldozer treads) and drives through the ballast uder the leg unit. The leg unit lowers to the car and drops the cut rail section on the railcar section which takes that section away. The rail section is lifted off the rail car by another leg unit a distance away, the car returns positions itself under the leg unit which lowers itself onto the railcar section,withdraws its legs and is ready to be setup for a repeat a little further ahead.
The idea is for quicker removal of track and placement of turnouts. The system was later used in the placement of the high speed crossovers at mp141 Westerly RI.

Photographed by Mark Beebe, August 27, 1993.
Added to the photo archive by Mark Beebe, January 18, 2006.
Railroad: Amtrak/MOW.

Mark Beebe's awards:

» Contact the person who posted this photograph.