Ballast Distribution System |
Amtrak A14669, a Plasser model BDS200 ballast distribution vehicle, is seen at the end of a ballast maintenance consist at Secaucus Junction Station while working on the Portal North Bridge track 3 cutover. The unit is one of a two-unit set - with the BDS100 unit at the other end - that can pick up, store, transfer, distribute, and profile ballast all in one pass over a section of track. The system is expandable, with the ability to add conveyor and hopper cars between the two units to expand the ballast handling capacity of the consist.
