Why do tank car trains have a covered hopper at the front and back of the train?
Thanks in advance.
As buffer cars. I don't know the exact rule on buffer cars, there needs to be one between the loco and the tank train. They're on the back end, so locos can couple up to either end. The buffer cars are usually filled with sand.
Others will chime in with all the rules and proceedures.
Mike
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Federal law requires that a loaded hazmat tank be no closer than the 6th car from the engine, train length permitting. If train length doesn't permit it can be no closer than the second car from the engine.
What this means in English is that the if there is a loaded hazmat tank the train needs 5 cars of cover. If the train has less than 5 cars that can be used as cover it needs to have at least one car of cover (that's what the "train length permits" wording means). Since a unit train of flammable liquids won't have any cars that can be used for cover (train length does not permit 5 cars) the railroad has to add a car of cover between the hazmat tanks and the engine(s).
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
dehusmanFederal law requires that a loaded hazmat tank be no closer than the 6th car from the engine, train length permitting.
Is that a revised rule? I always thought it was three cars as a buffer. I need to go and rebuild the 50 car freight I'm running before I get fined.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
BATMAN dehusman Federal law requires that a loaded hazmat tank be no closer than the 6th car from the engine, train length permitting. Is that a revised rule? I always thought it was three cars as a buffer. I need to go and rebuild the 50 car freight I'm running before I get fined.
dehusman Federal law requires that a loaded hazmat tank be no closer than the 6th car from the engine, train length permitting.
Here's instructions, since been revised a few times, that will give a good idea on how to handle hazmat. Specifically the switching and placement in train charts.
http://railtown.team.parks.ca.gov/volunteers/Document%20Library20/1/UP%20Hazmat.pdf
Jeff
I'm curious about the evolution of these requirements; e.g., was the buffer rule in place during the "transition era"?
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
peahrensI'm curious about the evolution of these requirements; e.g., was the buffer rule in place during the "transition era"?
The short answer, I think, is for you to look at the legislative history of 49 CFR 174.85, which is the relevant part of the Federal code that concerns the buffer cars. Here is some commentary that you may find enlightening as you look things up.