Steam Shovels and Steam Shovel Work

by Edward Adolph Hermann

Fig. 50.
Fig. 51.

Construction Work.—On railways the steam shovel is used mostly in connection with maintenance of way work: loading gravel for ballasting the track, widening cuts, filling trestles, etc., but it is also largely used for various construction work, particularly re-alinements of the main track for reducing grades and curvature. In excavation of this class, thorough cutting should be avoided if possible, for reasons which will be subsequently explained. The work is begun by laying a temporary track, A, [Figs. 50, 51] and [52], over the surface of the ground if its natural grade is not too steep to permit operating construction trains over it. Grades up to 6 per cent. (316.8 ft. per mile) can be used. A mogul engine will draw six empty flats over such a grade, a sufficient number of cars to start the work for the short cuts near the summit. The cuts are then made as indicated in [Fig. 52].

Fig. 52.

Fig. 53.
Fig. 54.