Trains.com

Swedes buying a Moose Catcher for trains?

1057 views
18 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Swedes buying a Moose Catcher for trains?
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 12, 2004 1:19 PM
From UTU site

Train nose-cone to deflect moose
SOMERSET, U.K. -- A Somerset engineering firm has developed a moose-proof device to help a Swedi***rain company keep its trains running to time, according to the BBC.
W and J Tods of Crewkerne designed the detachable nose-cone protector to fit on to the front of trains.

It acts as an impact-absorber, repelling the moose without injuring them while keeping passengers safe.

Every year engines on the Arlanda Express Airport rail link in Stockholm go out of service after hitting moose.

Tom Hitchings, Director of Tods Mass Transit Business, said: "In the event of one of these animals -- which can weigh up to 1.5 tons -- being hit at speeds of 125 mph, the impact is absorbed and deflected and a major catastrophe is avoided."

A contract for 20 of the nose cones has been secured.

(This item appeared on the BBC website Aug. 12, 2004.)

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Thursday, August 12, 2004 2:15 PM
I love it!

Mook

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,022 posts
Posted by tree68 on Thursday, August 12, 2004 2:33 PM
Bounce a moose, uninjured, at 100+? That's techology!

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: indiana
  • 792 posts
Posted by joseph2 on Thursday, August 12, 2004 2:53 PM
Depending on which end of the moose gets hit,the nose cone could be called a moose gooser.
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Bawlmer Hon
  • 314 posts
Posted by choochin3 on Thursday, August 12, 2004 4:46 PM
[(-D][#oops]
I'm out Choochin!
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, August 12, 2004 8:37 PM
Alaska Railroad ought to investigate! or at least watch.
Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: St Paul, MN
  • 6,218 posts
Posted by Big_Boy_4005 on Thursday, August 12, 2004 8:55 PM
I just hope the moose don't get used to the friendly trains. They'll start to gather and use it as a thrill ride.

Perhaps if this doesn't work they will resort to a less humane solution. Placing a large pointed rod on the front of the train would be very effective, and would thin the herd in the process.

Moose kabobs are now being served in the dining car.[:O][:P][dinner][:-,][(-D][:D][;)]
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Abbotsford BC Canada
  • 300 posts
Posted by athelney on Thursday, August 12, 2004 11:13 PM
Maybe CN should invest in a few for the northern routes the've just inherited from BC Rail !!!!
Thinks !! Never seen any moose last time I was in Crewkerne !!!
2860 Restoration Crew
  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
  • 11,439 posts
Posted by dknelson on Friday, August 13, 2004 8:21 AM
Reminds me of one of Mark Twain's tall tales ... about the train that was so slow that he suggested to the conductor that they should take the cow catcher from the front of the locomotive and put it on the back of the last car, because at the speed they were going "we aren;t going to catch many cows ... but there is nothing to prevent from from climbing onboard at the back door."
Dave Nelson
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Central Iowa
  • 6,901 posts
Posted by jeffhergert on Friday, August 13, 2004 1:28 PM
Build a better Moose-trap and the world will beat a path to your door.[:D]
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Friday, August 13, 2004 1:55 PM
[tdn]

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: St Paul, MN
  • 6,218 posts
Posted by Big_Boy_4005 on Friday, August 13, 2004 2:21 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

[tdn]


[%-)]
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Friday, August 13, 2004 2:23 PM
ok - maybe Groan would be better?

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Friday, August 13, 2004 4:24 PM
....Yea, 1.5 tons @ 125 mph.......We need some of those engineers to stop by here if we're making stuff to go to Mars....

Quentin

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Friday, August 13, 2004 4:40 PM
What! No pictures? How am I going to model this?

What are they gonna call this new invention?

Deflecta-Moose

Lose-A-Moose

No-Moose-Caboose

The Moose-cone

The Moose-cavator

The Mooscoop

The Moosinator

The Moose-capult

Swat-a-Moose!

The Jimmy Durante Memorial Express

or my favorate..

Moose-B-Gone !!!

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 13, 2004 7:26 PM
vsmith--

[(-D][(-D][(-D][bow][bow][bow][(-D][(-D][(-D]

[tup][tup]
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Ontario - Canada
  • 463 posts
Posted by morseman on Friday, August 13, 2004 7:38 PM
in the rr hobby store the other day a CN engineer was discussing the problem they have with moose on the tracks. In the winter the snow is very deep so the moose use the roadbed for their highway., and with a train coming they can't out run it. One engineer started to blow the horn and the moose turned around and charged into the engine causing serious damage to the engine. Engineers are told not to blow the horn but just keep going. Several years ago when traveling on the Canadian, a conductor told me that if they hit a moose in the Rockies they hose down the front of the engine at New Westminster before coming into Vancouver as it's a pretty gruesome sight for passengers to see all the blood and gore. In Newfoundland the transport trucks have a heavy steel grill installed in front of their radiators to protect the trucks. those who have these grills get a reduction on their insurance.
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Friday, August 13, 2004 7:55 PM
What would Rocket J. Squirrel and Boris Badinov have to say about this?
Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 13, 2004 11:18 PM
Ooh, Natasha!

Boris, dahling.

We tell Fearless Leader. Mebbe he give us orders to take moose and squirrel for little train ride.

No, Boris dahling. Everyone know moose and squirrel already trained.

Natasha, you idiot. Not THAT kind of training......

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy