Paul_D_North_Jr Were any saved in a museum someplace ? If so , where ? If not, are there any definitive articles with dimensional diagrams or scale drawings, etc., such as in a modeling magazine ? - Paul North.
Were any saved in a museum someplace ? If so , where ? If not, are there any definitive articles with dimensional diagrams or scale drawings, etc., such as in a modeling magazine ?
- Paul North.
Paul:
Googling "Trailer Train Corp/Front Runner" gets you a link to Hobbyline.com--
Shows a model of the Front Runner Model Kit.
Linked TTX website (History/1980) @: http://www.ttx.com/aboutttx/history.aspx/#1970
This entry: " 1982: One prototype single-axle, single-platform hitch car and two articulated hitch cars are tested. "
And this entry: " 1984: Single-axle, single unit 50-ft flat cars equipped with one hitch are added to the fleet. These were given the name “Front Runner® .”
Hopefully, this is what you were wondering about.
They worked tolerably when they were used on the MILW Sprint trains. When used in dedicated trainsets not mixed with other types of Intermodal equipment. Otherwise they were too low on tare weight, and by extension strength too.
IIRC, weren't these particularly prone to derailment due to the single axle configuration? I think I remember reading about that back in the 90s.
Last one I saw was around 2000, and it was hanging between two tank cars with no wheels under it. Someone put too much tonnage behind it, and I destroyed it, pulling it into the yard.
Nick
Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/
No precise details here, but they've been gone since 1994, or possibly earlier. A single axle per end of the carbody just isn't practical.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
caboose63 can anyone tell me if any of trailer train's front runner TOFC flatcars are still in service, or have they all be taken out a service a while ago?
can anyone tell me if any of trailer train's front runner TOFC flatcars are still in service, or have they all be taken out a service a while ago?
First of all; I had no idea what a " Front Runner" car was so I found this link: http://shastaroute.railfan.net/Front_Runner.html (This to a page with several views of these cars.)
TTUX 130362; Class YLF 10; Built 08.87; Manufactured by Hyundai, assembled by Gunderson. Photographed 09.--.87, UP Albina Yard, Portland, Oregon
This linked photo is a single car: http://shastaroute.railfan.net/Photos/Front_Runner/04672.jpg
If this lot is constructed in 1987, You are correct that they are getting ready, if not already to be removed from service.
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