Notice to all visitors and members of the Train-Sim.Com message forums: If you plan on using a signature banner in your posts, we would like to remind you that there is a maximum size for banners. That maximum is 450 pixels wide by 120 pixels high, and not to exceed 25k. Your compliance is appreciated. FORUM RULES Problems? There are two common reasons for problems with logging in and posting messages. The first is that you are running a firewall that prevents your messages from being sent to the server. The other is that you have cookies disabled; the DCForum software requires cookies to work properly.
While looking for picture of BN SD70macs in exec livery. I spotted this an articulated coal train called the trough train. Are they still using it? What they won't think ofhttp://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=71186
Actually, that is what BN used to haul taconite pellets...you don't see them too much anymore, but the pellets were very heavy, and the articulated design allowed smaller cars with less wheelsets and total weight overall; however it was an engineer's nightmare running one of those as it was extremely heavy and long, causing no end of busted knuckles when operated in hilly territory.
CN still uses the tank train. They Bring it in to the Ultramar loading facility near where I live.They bring in a set of 3, it's like 60 cars, I am not sure exactly, but it's long.They use it almost everyday.
From the Aug/Sep Santa Fe Newsletter.The former BN Trough Train is being eliminated. The Trough Train has spent most of the last five years in storage in various places. It was stored on the former Rock Island main line east of Amarillo, TX that was abandoned only a few miles east of the trough train cars for over a year. This was a storage track for Progress Rail Car Shops. On August 22nd, a train of 21 of the trough cars was seen passing through Lincoln, NE on its way to Birmingham, AL as BNSF train U-GUEBIR1-18. The cars had most recently been in storage at Guernsey, WY where they were moving empty from to the CSX at Birmingham listed as condemned cars. Power for the empty Trough train was BNSF SD40-2 7903, KCS AC4400CW 2046 and EMD SD60 9092 as it departed Lincoln. The train arrived in Birmingham on August 26th at 11:41 and was interchanged to CSX at 11:42. The only car missing of the original 23 cars built in late 1994 was the BN 552006 that had previously been separated and probably scrapped. One of the units of that car is still at Progress Rail in Amarillo. The Aluminum cars were 278’ 4” long per 13 unit car. The 23 cars could carry the equivalent of 146 standard coal hoppers at a reduced tonnage due to the light weight of the cars. The Car numbers for these cars were BN 552000 – 552022. None were ever renumbered as BNSF cars. Note: It was used in COAL delivery, not ore.
busted knuckles? Does that mean the couplers would fail and you would have to call another engine to get the lose cars or do crews carry spare parts for couplers?
All locomotives have spare knuckles on them. Thats usually what breaks. If the draw bar goes, well thats a totally different story involving getting a whole new coupler and replacing it right there.While on this subject, where do trains usually bust a knuckle?? Is it a random place or always 10 cars back??Steven
This good old trains lover just wants to drive trains... D&RGW the best damn railroad period http://www.meanslocoworks.com>MASW Equipment Painter
That jointed part that connects coupler together is the knuckle. As for the Through Train, it was given BNSF numbers but not renumbered as of yet. Probably never will either. They are given 965000-965022. That number series is used for non-profit cars so it is assumed that their usefulness is over with. What done them in is that most electric plants have rotary dumpers and this car can't be rotated. Also most of the tracks are double tracked now and the sidings that would be too short for some coal trains is not a problem now. It's also cheaper to build and maintain standard coal cars. Also they where so heavy that it required extra reinforcements on bridges.
