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Mobile unloading rack

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  • Member since
    February 2017
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • 660 posts
Mobile unloading rack
Posted by hbgatsf on Monday, December 25, 2023 12:10 PM

I need a smallish unloading rack and remembered driving past something that would work.  I used street view in Google maps to take a look and it wasn't there.  It wasn't until I looked at the view at different points in time that I realized it was mounted on a trailer and could be moved around.

Here are some pictures:

Is this common or is it unique to this facility?

Rick

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Omaha, NE
  • 10,621 posts
Posted by dehusman on Monday, December 25, 2023 1:01 PM

Unique.  There are restrictions against loading or unloading hazmat at many team tracks.

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

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  • From: Canterlot
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Posted by zugmann on Monday, December 25, 2023 1:18 PM

Not unique.  We have an industry that uses a 1-ton truck with mounted platform to unload CO2 cars.  

Google  portable transload platforms or some similar terms.  

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

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Posted by AEP528 on Monday, December 25, 2023 6:52 PM

zugmann

Not unique.  We have an industry that uses a 1-ton truck with mounted platform to unload CO2 cars.  

Google  portable transload platforms or some similar terms.  

 

I found mobile transloading platform returned a bunch of pictures similar to the one in the OP's post.

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Posted by MidlandMike on Monday, December 25, 2023 10:14 PM

There is variability between different state environmental laws and how they administer federal rules, that would involve spillage, fumes, etc.  In one product photo, I noticed a drip pad under the railcar, but just a 5 gal bucket under the truck valve to catch connection drips.

  • Member since
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  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • 660 posts
Posted by hbgatsf on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 6:00 AM

Thanks. 

I didn't notice something before.  This facility has two of them.

 

Rick

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  • From: Omaha, NE
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Posted by dehusman on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 6:30 AM

It also depends on a what you mean by "unique".  Uncommon vs. one of a kind.

There are thousands of team tracks in the US, there are probably less than a hundred that have something like that.  Are there more than one?  Yes.  Are they at most team tracks?  No.

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

  • Member since
    February 2017
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • 660 posts
Posted by hbgatsf on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 6:30 AM

AEP528

 

 
zugmann

Not unique.  We have an industry that uses a 1-ton truck with mounted platform to unload CO2 cars.  

Google  portable transload platforms or some similar terms.  

 

 

 

I found mobile transloading platform returned a bunch of pictures similar to the one in the OP's post.

 

It sure does.  Amazing how many variations there are.

Rick

  • Member since
    March 2011
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Posted by NVSRR on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 6:49 AM

Looks like Walthers ethanol loading platform mounted on a a trailer.  I think innovatepive design makes those trailers,  can get them in 3D print form too.    Simple kitbash.    Hard part is finding the Walthers platform.   That facility is is in south east PA mear kennet square.  Mushroom country.  If I remember right, that is liquid fertilizer for the mushroom farms.  

shane

A pessimist sees a dark tunnel

An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel

A realist sees a frieght train

An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space

  • Member since
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  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • 660 posts
Posted by hbgatsf on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 7:34 AM

NVSRR

That facility is is in south east PA mear kennet square.  Mushroom country.  If I remember right, that is liquid fertilizer for the mushroom farms.  

shane

 

You are correct about the location, but I'm not sure about it being liquid fertilizer.  You can't read it well because it is through a chain link fence but this is the sign on the building:

The word Energy is clearly visible although the name of the company is not.

This sign is at the entrance:

Would they call a fertilizer facility a terminal?

Rick

  • Member since
    March 2011
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Posted by NVSRR on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 7:45 AM

hbgatsf

 

 
NVSRR

That facility is is in south east PA mear kennet square.  Mushroom country.  If I remember right, that is liquid fertilizer for the mushroom farms.  

shane

 

 

 

You are correct about the location, but I'm not sure about it being liquid fertilizer.  You can't read it well because it is through a chain link fence but this is the sign on the building:

The word Energy is clearly visible although the name of the company is not.

This sign is at the entrance:

Would they call a fertilizer facility a terminal?

 

 

yes it would be terminal.   That has been the avondale terminal for as long as I can remember. actually it is a team track. They used to get boxcars and covered hoppers there.   Doesn't look they do any more.  Or it is seasonal thing.    It has been 8 years since I was last down that way.   Looks like it. Has changed transloads goods to energy now.  From the signs you posted.  

A pessimist sees a dark tunnel

An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel

A realist sees a frieght train

An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space

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Posted by NVSRR on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 7:59 AM

I had to go look to see how it changed.    The pics you posted are from gap Newport pike. That is one facility. Across the tracks off Baltimore pike is a three logistics.  another trans loading facility which does have the grain unloading (a long string was in that satellite pic) as well as tank and boxcar trans loading. I never realized it was two separate facilities.    I did notice a one ton truck with what looks like a fire truck type ladder. And another mobile unload apperatice.   

A pessimist sees a dark tunnel

An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel

A realist sees a frieght train

An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space

  • Member since
    February 2017
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • 660 posts
Posted by hbgatsf on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 8:39 AM

This is how it looked in 2008:

 

Rick

  • Member since
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Posted by MidlandMike on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 9:39 PM

hbgatsf

Thanks. 

I didn't notice something before.  This facility has two of them.

 

 

The fact that the facility sign has the word "energy" and there is a pressurized truck in the photo above, suggests propane.

  • Member since
    February 2017
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • 660 posts
Posted by hbgatsf on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 9:19 AM

MidlandMike

 

 
hbgatsf

Thanks. 

I didn't notice something before.  This facility has two of them.

 

 

 

 

The fact that the facility sign has the word "energy" and there is a pressurized truck in the photo above, suggests propane.

 

Good catch.  That explains the minimalist facility with no real infrastructer other than the rail spurs.

Rick

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