Rubberized Railroad Ties
C&P:
That's not a fantasy; its a reality. And if you'd like to see it at work, the BNSF railway line running parallel to much of Tx36 from Rosenberg northward is beginning to install new railway cross ties composed of co-mingled rubber.
According to Patent #: 6766963 - Recycled Rubber Railroad Crossties, the patent was issued on 2004-07-27, names Hansen Rubber Products Inc. of Bakersfield, CA as patent assignee. From Hansen, "the rubber crosstie has an expected life of between 30 to 60 years and can be made primarily of rubber crumbs obtained from stockpiles of discarded rubber tires."
For decades, millions of waste tires were piled at makeshift dumps, where they became a breeding ground for mosquitoes and rodents -- and temptations for arsonists. But in recent years, waste tires have undergone transformation from trash to treasure in a burgeoning industry that collects, processes and sells tire rubber.
Last year, 300 million tires were discarded -- about one per American -- and 261 million of those were recycled. Most of the 39 million or so tires not recycled were processed for landfill disposal. But most actually made in back into the economy as other products, such as welcome mats, asphalt, base material for athletic fields, fuel for power plants, and even railroad cross ties.
Called "crumb rubber", the shredded rubber is frozen with liquid nitrogen, then shattered into crumbs as fine as talcum powder. Steel belting and fiber are removed before the rubber is screened for size for different uses, and the steel is recycled. When used in power plants, the fuel has a very high BTU content, and produces fewer pollutants when compared to coal, natural gas, or petroleum, say the experts.
With KCS planning to begin construction of the railway line from Rosenberg to Laredo, one has to wonder will these new rubberized crossties go into the rail line or will KCS stick with the cresote railroad timbers of the past?
That's not a fantasy; its a reality. And if you'd like to see it at work, the BNSF railway line running parallel to much of Tx36 from Rosenberg northward is beginning to install new railway cross ties composed of co-mingled rubber.
According to Patent #: 6766963 - Recycled Rubber Railroad Crossties, the patent was issued on 2004-07-27, names Hansen Rubber Products Inc. of Bakersfield, CA as patent assignee. From Hansen, "the rubber crosstie has an expected life of between 30 to 60 years and can be made primarily of rubber crumbs obtained from stockpiles of discarded rubber tires."
For decades, millions of waste tires were piled at makeshift dumps, where they became a breeding ground for mosquitoes and rodents -- and temptations for arsonists. But in recent years, waste tires have undergone transformation from trash to treasure in a burgeoning industry that collects, processes and sells tire rubber.
Last year, 300 million tires were discarded -- about one per American -- and 261 million of those were recycled. Most of the 39 million or so tires not recycled were processed for landfill disposal. But most actually made in back into the economy as other products, such as welcome mats, asphalt, base material for athletic fields, fuel for power plants, and even railroad cross ties.
Called "crumb rubber", the shredded rubber is frozen with liquid nitrogen, then shattered into crumbs as fine as talcum powder. Steel belting and fiber are removed before the rubber is screened for size for different uses, and the steel is recycled. When used in power plants, the fuel has a very high BTU content, and produces fewer pollutants when compared to coal, natural gas, or petroleum, say the experts.
With KCS planning to begin construction of the railway line from Rosenberg to Laredo, one has to wonder will these new rubberized crossties go into the rail line or will KCS stick with the cresote railroad timbers of the past?
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sounds like a great idea. 0 -
", one has to wonder will these new rubberized crossties go into the rail line or will KCS stick with the cresote railroad timbers of the past?"
They went to concrete ties here in the boonies several years back.
Although the rubber ones do sound like a good use for disgarded tires.
[:)]0 -
sounds like it could be a winner, maybe soon we will be able to trade in those old worn out tyres so they can be re-cycled! 0 -
Saw some fence posts made out of old tires at the farm store about 10 yrs. ago. Hundreds of little pieces of wire stuck out all over, about 1/16". Guess they couldn't figure out how to make them without the "porcupine" effect. They should last for next to forever, though. 0 -
Best use for a tire ever is to use it in the road it was rolling on. Ongoing source for road materials. Joe 0 -
UV rays will break a post down pretty fast,i rekkon.But a cross-tie ,with stone over it could go for a few lifetimes.I hope it takes-off too.. 0 -
I really like new technology.
When will it make the leap to structural supports?
Homes, roads, buildings?
Think of the applications out there?0 -
quote:Originally posted by Dave W.
Think of the applications out there?
OK but this will take a while. Don0 -
Last year they began replacing cross ties with composite ones on a strech of track that runs through our property. Didnt know they were tires but we do have a 2 foot section of one at the shop. 0 -
what about flex? what about a spike being drivin into it? wood swells, holding the spike in place. sounds to me like a spike in this shattered rubber will be like driving a nail in glass. whats going to keep it from loosening when a train travels over it? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by bobski
what about flex? what about a spike being drivin into it? wood swells, holding the spike in place. sounds to me like a spike in this shattered rubber will be like driving a nail in glass. whats going to keep it from loosening when a train travels over it?
Maybe they will start using rubber nails?0 -
quote:Originally posted by bobski
what about flex? what about a spike being drivin into it? wood swells, holding the spike in place. sounds to me like a spike in this shattered rubber will be like driving a nail in glass. whats going to keep it from loosening when a train travels over it?
Ya, its not like the could come up with a new fastner to replace the 150 yo one0
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