Very nice!
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Worked this track in the early 70's as a grinder-operator on a traveling welding crew. We used a torch to blow out fractures in the rail ends, built the weld up, then ground the joint level, then champhered the ends. We used motor cars to pull the welding generator and push car with a propane heater to preheat the railends. This track runs through probably the most beautiful area in the west...if not the United States. Fond memories here, working in wild country between towns. All of the equipment was portable. We had to watch for trains, pushed the equipment off the line when a train was coming. We kept flags out, protectecting us while we worked on the line. Some Amtrak came through, but we were not allowed to stop them. It was a great time doing work on this Burlington Northern track. We welded track from Hope, Idaho to Laurel, Montana...walked most of it, pushing grinders and champher machines. Ribbon steel eventually eliminated the welding gangs...about 5-6 men each.
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