(The Omaha World-Herald posted the following article on its website on June 1.)
NORTH BEND, Neb. — The Union Pacific Track Renewal Train, or TRT 909, is the only one of its kind in the United States. It can install more than 5,000 ties in a 12-hour day, twice as many as conventional equipment.
It was hard at work Thursday, laying new rail and ties between Fremont and Central City.
As the machine moves slowly down the track, old spikes and clips are pulled, the old ties are ripped from the ground and sent via conveyor to be picked up by gantry crane.
Simultaneously, the new ties are set, and new continuous welded rail is heated and fastened to the ties.