Coaching Stock. Part-Three.

Engineering to Specialist Stock.

Generally when everyday coaching stock comes to the end of its life, it is either sold on or scrapped. But some coaching stock is kept for a new lease of life in the engineering side of the railways, while others become track recording and various measurement vehicles.

This type of stock in Great Britain is generally painted yellow, while in other countries they will have their own schemes. Some older locomotives are also kept in a pool known as Departmental for special duties and for back up, if new trains have power failures.

Many of these trains also work on behalf of the military, with unlisted movements at night and other government work. 

They also operate on lines that are no longer listed on maps, but if you are in the know or are good at hunching then you might be able to film one?

Rail Engineering. Part-Two.

Easter Weekend Nightmares.

This is the time of the year where the opportunity arises to get those yellow engineering trains out of their various depots or holding areas to repair the rails. Many train enthusiasts don't really bother with them, its more the freight that takes their interest.

But like a few out there, they fascinate me because of their technical innovation and the ability now to lift and replace rail tracks in whole sections with very little human activity. There are so many different kinds of machines employed in railway building and demolishing that it can leave one wondering.

Many of the manufacturers of these new complex machines, just specialise in these types and their locomotives. These trains come in various sizes and gauges and are deployed all over the world under and above ground.

Rail Engineering Trains. Part-One.

Railways and Metros.

Railways world-wide need to be maintained, because of weather and vandelism but also daily wear and tear. To do this type of work some very high tech machines have been developed over the years to make life more easier for the railway engineers and work men to get on with the job.

Railway engineering has made leaps and bounds since the days of wagons full of gravel and navies doing all the hard labour.Navies were once the but of humour. The Irish and Scots in Britain, have now been replaced by the host of Eastern-Europeans. 

Take some consideration when you see those familiar yellow machines trying their best to get off the system in the early mornings and wonder how many men over the years were killed trying to get your train journey safe, fast for you to work and school.