I have been noticing more refrigerated intermodal containers on NS trains past my house lately. How do these get refueled and do the cars get monitored for problems while on the train? They seem to be the top container most of the time which puts the cooling unit pretty high off the ground.
Many such refrigerated units are monitored via satellite.
I can't say for sure, but I'd imagine the shippers have arrangements for fueling the units as needed and/or at regular intervals.
I have no idea how long one of those units can run under normal conditions.
Larry 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...
Generally, a rail reefer unit should start out with enough fuel to complete its trip without the need for refueling. It will be remotely monitored for problems such as low fuel while in transit. If it somehow does need fuel, they'll figure out a way to get it fuel. (A ladder and hose come to mind.)
Most of the reefer units burn 1 gallon per hour on high speed and .5 gallons on low speed that is the average for an OTR style which those containers have on them. With a 100 gallon tank they can go about 4 days before they require fuel if the product requires high speed running and over a week if on lower speed running. Those figures are for constant running also. So if they are hauling something that can go on a cycle basis then they do not burn as much fuel as one running all the time. So as long as the railroads can get the product in them to the next yard in 4 days to be checked on they should be fine. According to my hubby and several people I have talked to anything in a reefer container or trailer being shipped IM must be loaded with a full tank of fuel for the unit when it is delivered to the IM yard.
Thanks for the replies
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