Undercutter on the FEC Mainline, MP302.5

While waiting for the inaugural run of the Brightline Test Train, this undercutter was working the mainline at MP302.5. A backhoe came in first and dug out the area underneath a couple of ties. With the "pilot hole" in place, the crew feeds the cutting chain under the track and into the guide. Once the cutting chain is in place, and the machine adjusted to the proper level, we get to see this amazing piece of equipment really go to work. In one swift move, the ballast is removed from underneath the ties, fed up a conveyor into a shaker which separates the gravel from the mud and sand. The smaller debris is sent out the front of a machine via a conveyor, and the now-cleaned ballast is returned to the roadbed via a plow at the back as well as two horizontal conveyors which replace ballast right to the point of the cutter.

[@user-AZ-phil]

This is an absotootly fascinating machine. I'm dating myself, but I can remember when the early ballast cleaning machines still required more than enough hand labor.

[@charlesfarmer9474]

Just think, this all used to be done by hand - what a terrible job that would have been!

[@eddihellya951]

Ran a RM75 for PA took them boys awhile to pin up. Where’s the young bucks at. This is a bust ass job and they are only showing the easy side of things. Clean up is brutal

[@marryellen7713]

I wonder how often they have to replace the chain?

[@eddihellya951]

Marry Ellen , the chain lasts 2 seasons are the cutting fingers are replaced when worn out missing.

[@websitesthatneedanem]

Where does the extra ballast come from, that replaces the spoil?

[@Honestware]

The spoil is just being removed -- it was not there originally. It comes in from the wind and from passing trains. It prevents proper drainage which is why it gets removed. It does not get replaced.

[@websitesthatneedanem]

Ah! OK, many thanks!

[@rogerhazen3664]

Answered my question before i even had to look into it ! Why was this process being done in the first place, and your comment i believe answers that. thx

[@IsaiahsTrains]

I just saw this parked on a siding near Jupiter!

[@IsaiahsTrains]

Nice video!

[@artysanmobile]

Why is this done?

[@paullanyi516]

Just cleaning, replacing the ballast I think.

[@phuturephunk]

I didn't realize we built a mainline that went that far out.