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The New Orleans Public Belt Maintenance of Way Department is comprised of three sub-departments: the Track Department, Welding Department and the Bridge and Building (B&B) Department.
TRACK AND WELDING Departments
The NOPB Roadmaster, Track Supervisor, and Assistant Track Supervisor supervise the Track and Welding Departments. It is comprised of 24 Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees who perform the duties of Track Foremen, Machine Operators, Truck Drivers, Welders, Welder Helpers, Track Inspector, and Trackmen. These departments handle the track maintenance, track repairs, new track construction, and track inspection on the Public Belt’s 100 miles of track. This system includes about 25 miles of double and single main track constructed of continuous welded rail and 300 switches, of which 35 mainline switches are constructed of steel switch ties.
The Track and Welding Departments’ equipment includes a new 6700 Harsco Track Technologies Production Tamper with a Laser Liner, a new Progress Rail Services Ballast Regulator, 2 Case Backhoes, 2 new 12 man HiRail Gang Trucks, 2 Utility Trailers for transporting the Backhoes, a new HiRail Dump Truck, 2 Welding Trucks, and Air/Hydraulic Track Tools. The NOPB’s track maintenance equipment is state-of-the-art in the industry.
NOPB has reinvested over $20,000,000 in track capital improvement projects over the last 5 years. These projects included upgrading the jointed main line track to new 115# RE continuous welded rail track, installing 50,000 hardwood 7”x9”x8’-6” mainline ties, upgrading to granite ballast in lieu of limestone ballast, upgrading the rail and renewing ties in three yards, including installing 16 new steel tie yard switches, and upgrading the engine house tracks and switches to 115#RE rail.
The Track and Welding Department’s other duties include the refurbishment and maintenance of about 85 public and private grade crossings throughout Orleans and Jefferson Parishes. NOPB is responsible for the maintenance and operation of thirty-two (32) signalized grade crossings. All signal control cases at each of these signalized crossing includes a sign posted on the door stating the Department of Transportation Federal Crossing Number, the NOPB’s name and phone and the Street Crossing name to assist the public in reporting any problems or malfunctions.
NOPB Track personnel also handle the re-railing of derailed cars and repair the resulting track damage on the Public Belt’s system. Our Track and Welding employees are on call on a 24-hour basis for any type of track emergency that may occur.
The Bridge and Building (B&B) Department
The Bridge and Building (B&B) Department is supervised by a Bridge Superintendent, Bridge Supervisor, and an Assistant Bridge Supervisor. It is comprised of 26 Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees who perform the duties of Bridgemen, Bridgeman Helpers, and Painters. This Department handles all of the normal maintenance and repairs on the NOPB’s 4.35 mile long double track Huey P. Long Bridge. The Bridge and Building Department also maintains and makes repairs to all of our company’s buildings and the grounds.
The Bridge and Building Department equipment includes Kershaw Tie Handlers for changing out large bridge ties under the tracks, two new high rail gang trucks and a JCB forklift. Other equipment include air compressors and blasting equipment, a two tractors for grass cutting, a new bucket truck, and an assortment of other necessary track and bridge tools.
The B&B Department is currently working in unison with a Contractor on Segment 4 of a Project to remove lead paint and repaint the Bridge on the East Side from River Road to the East Traffic Circle. This is the final phase of a ten year project. The B&B Department installs about 1,500 bridge timbers (ties) in the bridge tracks annually during their annual Tie Program. They recently completed the upgrade of the France Yard Office, and other building projects.
No job is so important or urgent that we cannot take the time necessary to perform it safely. Safety in the NOPB’s Maintenance of Way Department is of the utmost importance. Safety and Rules Training is provided to all BMWE Maintenance of Way personnel on a daily basis. Annual Rules Testing and Certification is mandatory. We also provide annual Fall Protection Training and Industrial Rescue Training for our Bridge and Building employees and annual First Aid and CPR Training for the entire department. The NOPB follows all required Federal Railroad of Administration rules and mandates and is subject to FRA onsite inspections.
The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Maintenance of Way Department takes pride in our work, our railroad, our community, and our safety record.
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