Uses Of Railroad Track Pans

By Melanie Vaughn


The introduction of steam has helped a lot in transportation. Trains harnessed this source of power. Railroad track pans have been present since those times up to now where different power sources are already being used. Its use however, has been modified.

One gets to remember the development of steam power when presented by these track pans. Water, when heated, produces vapors. When a vapor is trapped into spaces, it exerts a tremendous amount of force. This is how turbines and pistons get their force. The significant amount of force being exerted is enough to move trains and perform heavy mechanical tasks.

Trains formerly utilize this form of energy. However, the need to replenish water supply needed to power it delays travel. Water evaporates quickly thus, the need for continuous supply. The first attempt to answer this was to place water supplies alongside the railway. This, however, still brought delay as the train would have to wait for its tank to fill up. Long journeys are affected. The waiting time could sometimes be longer than a nonstop voyage when long distances are to be considered.

That was why track pans were made. Water was placed on the center of the rail. It is open and would allow easy access to the train. When it needs it, a scoop is lowered to the pan containing the water. This then guides the water to the storage tank. There is no need to stop because it is the movement of the train which propels the water to their reservoirs inside the running train. This was very helpful in shortening the time of traveling by eliminating those fuel stops.

The discovery of more powerful and easily combustible sources have made the power of steam almost obsolete. However, the pan still continues to prove to be useful but this time, it serves another purpose. It is now being used to catch leakages. These pose problems to the environment if it gets contact with it. Given the long distances that a railway may travel, it is very evident that exposure can go to different places if no means are being employed to stop it.

They are being used in areas where washing, loading, and fueling are done. During these processes, there is much risk for spilling. The purpose of these containers is to catch those spills so that it would not seep through the soil and find its way to get in contact with the environment.

Different pans are made from different materials. They can be made of high density polyethylene, steel, and even concrete. The choice of material to be used would have to depend on two factors. First is whether it is for temporary or permanent use. Second is the nature of the potential environmental contaminant it is supposed to contain.

Railroads are very busy. Installment of these pans should not take much time then. Thus, they are designed in such a way that they are easy to be installed. Installing them would not take heavy machinery. Manual labor with common tools are all that is needed. There are instances when a portable pan may be needed specially when a spill occurs somewhere not located on the permanent pan. Modular systems were designed to address this. They are very easy to install and it would not take much time to transport and install them.

Railroad track pans have proven different ways it can be useful since the day it has created. Constant improvements are still being made up to the current time to make them even better. There are already a lot of choices of them to choose from.




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