On Pg. 13 of the current (Jan.) issue of Trains, there is a photo of an FEC train crossing a bridge. Between the two units is some type of odd-looking car. Does anyone know what that is? Maybe something requiring special handling? Some type of special alternative-fuel tank? I've never seen a car sandwiched between units like that before.
Still in training.
It is a fuel tender containing liquefied natural gas.
Mel Hazen; Jax, FL Ride Amtrak. It's the only way to fly!!!
RRCharlie It is a fuel tender containing liquefied natural gas.
I suspect this may be the car referred to?
Lithonia OperatorOn Pg. 13 of the current (Jan.) issue of Trains, there is a photo of an FEC train crossing a bridge. Between the two units is some type of odd-looking car. Does anyone know what that is? Maybe something requiring special handling? Some type of special alternative-fuel tank? I've never seen a car sandwiched between units like that before.
FEC has been using LNG as a fuel for the past several years on a number of their locomotives. To my knowledge the LNG is being used to supplement the use of diesels, not as a exclusive fuel.
I have yet to hear them publicize the overall results of this program.
About 25-30 years ago - CSX utilized a high capacity tank car as a diesel fuel tender on the locomotives there were using on a daily coal train they were operating between Chattachoochee, FL and a Florida Power plant at Bostwick, FL through Jacksonville. In normal operations with just the locomotives the power set needed to be refueled on a every other day schedule at Jacksonville. Using the tank car fuel tender in the same service allowed the the power and tender to be refueled on a once a week basis. The operation with the tender continued for a year or two until the fuel tender was observed with serious cracks in its underframe account being coupled within the locomotive consist and being subject to the buff and draft forces that the locomotives experience, which are much higher than what freight cars experience in their normal in train operation.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Link to some photos of one:
https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/31532
- PDN.
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