Pictured hear are pieces of a rail replacement operation which took place over a period of a couple weeks at MP 78.5 on the Saginaw sub. I first found this rail train tied down with it's pair of "pumpkins" on the 10 track that extends as a long lead from the North Yard. After it disappeared a 3/8 mile long welded 122lb rail had appeared at the 8 Mile road underpass on the high rail of the curve.

Some days later I heard the section crew assembling in the morning at 8 Mile road. I watched them stationing the crews and setting up the machines. When I returned at lunch hour they already had the old rail in the dirt, and the new one roughly positioned. The rail crane was stretching the rail, making an indescribable sound as the 3/8 mile steel ribbon resonated. This operation was followed by a anchoring gauging operation which put the rail in the final position, nailing into every fifth cross tie and followed up by the walking inspection.

A multi-purpose tamping machine followed that was installing the metal anchor clips between the crossties. Following this the anchor unit completely nailed down the new section. By the evening the line was back in service. The old rail is still there some months later.