Worker prepares a cad-welding crucible. The crucible was filled with the copper oxide and aluminium powder mix for the thermite bonding, as well as magnesium powder to initiate the exothermic reaction.
For more information about cad-welding (i.e. exothermic welding), read en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exothermic_welding.
View more photos of railroad workers replacing a Muni lightrail track section on Church street in San Francisco.