See how Thermite Field Welding is done on a railroad from start to finish.
Today's work is called a field weld (because it's being done in the field) and
when they set the weld off that is called shooting the weld.

The big yellow thing on the back of the weld truck is a rail puller which they have if
needed, it is powered by hydraulics from the weld truck and swung into position by the
crane on the truck.

All our thermite welding is done by a contractor. They like to have about a 1 inch gap
between the rails before they weld, a little bit more is acceptable however, but not much.

Each weld is guaranteed and each weld costs us $550 to do which is
really fairly reasonable. That was in 2021. Costs have risen now.
The welders have told me that they have gone on
other jobs were they have charged up to $1100 per weld. (depending on
distance they have to travel along with motel and food costs) Our welder today
is Tyler who is a really hard worker and who takes extreme pride in his work.
It is really great to see young men like Tyler out here on the railroad having
an excellent work ethic. He is a fine young man who cares.

It takes about an hour and 15 minutes to fully align the rail and make the weld,
grind it off and pick up. We cannot thank you enough for watching and it's
very special to us that we can share some of our experiences here at the
Cumberland Mine Railroad with you. Weld was done west of the train loading
facility at the prep plant at mile post 0.3.

Disclaimer: I am an employee of Iron Synergy at Cumberland
Mine. My job is railroad track maintenance. I am very fortunate to
have this job and everyone at the mine is very fortunate to have
Iron Synergy as it's current owner. Our past owners had every
intention of shutting this mine down, but Iron Synergy took
over and have kept this mine alive.

Please understand: I am NOT in any way an official or unofficial
spokes person for Iron Synergy or Cumberland Mine. Any viewpoints,
opinions or anything that I show in the videos, or write in the video
descriptions or any answer to any comment, should NEVER be
misconstrued or interpreted as being in any way shape or form,
any kind of official or unofficial statement from Iron Synergy,
Cumberland Mine, any of the mine's management, any of the
contractors that may be shown in any video, nor of any of
my fellow cowokers.

Any viewpoints or opinions I may make in the videos, in the descriptions,
or in any answer to a comment is strictly that of my own and NOT an
official or unofficial statement or viewpoint that Iron Synergy or
any one at Iron Synergy or Cumberland Mine necessarily has or makes.

Again, we are very fortunate to have Iron Synergy as our current owners.
Please, when making a comment be respectful of Iron Synergy, Cumberland
Mine, my fellow coworkers and also any contractors that may be
shown. Thank You, Dave

#ThermiteWelding#WeldTruck#FieldWeld#ShootingAWeld

Made October 28 , 2021