Trains that (might) glow

[FJ and G]

DOE said most used nuclear fuel will be transported by rail to Yucca Mountain, Nev. The Caliente rail corridor (319 miles from Caliento Nev. to Yucca Mt was selected. Operations begin 2010. The unique rail cars contain steel-lead-steel layers, an impact limiter and fuel assemblies. Resembles a tank atop a flatcar with a sturdy frame to prevent it rolling off. After arriving in Yucca, the fuels will be moved by electric rail to the repository, 1,000-ft underground. I’ve seen photos of the underground RR & it appears to be narrower in gauge, thus transshipment from standard to narrow gauge, but I might be wrong on the gauge difference.

DOE estimates 175 rail/truck shipments per year, 85% and 15% respectively. The trains will be heavily guarded and routes won’t be publicized. Satellites will track shipments. For every ton of fuel, the containers will have about four tons of protective shielding.

Since 1964, over 3,000 shipments of nuclear fuel have crossed the US with no injury.

Dave Vergun

[jeaton]

Well, as long as they don't go through my back yard, I guess it is OK. I'm not worried about radiation leaks, but I don't want the light disturbing my sleep. LOL.

(Please note, I believe that the the public fear of nuclear power is totally irrational.)

[tree68]

N I M B Y !
Which is why they won't tell anyone where they're going (other than to Yucca). I agree with Jay - if those folks had a NAERG, they'd be several shades of pale over what's going down the highway in front of them...

[mudchicken]

See these go by on highway trailers (up to 3 per semi-trailer) on I-25 here all the time. Have seen the testing at Pueblo AAR/TC out on the back end of the FAST track loop. I agree with TREE and would add that the trucks are threatened more than the railcar shipments by NIMBY motorists who don't know how to drive.

Having dealt with the kooks who tried to stop shipment of plutonium triggers going from Pantex to Hanford in the '80's, it's a good thing that the shipments are un-announced and that the routes are multiple. Don't agree that every movement requires notifying the local political government units either, they can be the worst kind of unimformed NIMBY there is.

[rrnut282]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeaton

(Please note, I believe that the the public fear of nuclear power is totally irrational.)

DITTO

[espeefoamer]

We need all the power we can get from any source,including nuclear!!!

[Train Guy 3]

Not sure about all those glowing trains.... reminds me to much of that LIONEL "AREA: 51" train set.
http://www.lionel.com/Products/ProductNavigator/popviewlargeimage.cfm?MediaID=871

[Anonymous]

This subject reminds me of the movie "Runaway Train".

[Anonymous]

This subject reminds me of the movie "Runaway Train".

[MP57313]

FJ and G,

Do you have a ref. or link for a map of the rail route? I have seen this subject come up from time to time but didn't realize they got approval to build the route.

I understand about not publicizing the routes the trains will travel, but they sure are limited for those final couple-hundred miles!

MP

[JoeKoh]

well most of the nimbys are worried. stuff that is hauled in most railcars is protected and not a big deal. they raised a big stink when csx hauled an old reactor from toledo to sc.we do need to use other fuel sources to cut dependance on the arab oil.
stay safe
Joe

[Mookie]

Since I am watching placards - will these shipments be marked in any way? And if they are in Colorado - pretty sure they are going thru NE.

I always watch in daylight, so won't notice the glow...........

[adrianspeeder]

As Three Mile Island IS in my backyard, I have a few comments.
GET THE SPENT WASTE OUTTA HERE!!!
That stuff is just sitting around in a pool. Not needed to be around the public. The reactor containment dome is HEAVILY protected from storms, airplanes, random things that could go wrong, ect. Not true about the spent waste.
It is around all of us anyway, lets let it be around us a little bit more, but on the move.

Adrian"glowing green"speeder

[FJ and G]

MP,

No, I don't. I see a lot of news items of this type on a daily basis as editor of "The Military Engineer" magazine. I got the info from an energy pamphlet.

Dave

[Train Guy 3]

This is starting to remind me of a book called "Train Man". Anyone ever heard of it before?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Train Guy 3

This is starting to remind me of a book called "Train Man". Anyone ever heard of it before?

Yeah, I got it for a birthday. It wasn't a very good book.

LC

[MP57313]

Limitedclear and Train Guy 3,

I got "Train Man" as a gift also and actually liked it. One part was a bit amusing, where he mentioned the railroads have incredible lobbying clout in Washington, DC. (They do? They sure keep that well hidden). Also the references to Harry Ladd's Traffic Density Atlas were a kick (reference to a Categrory 7 heavy duty line)

FJ & G we drifted off here

MP

[Anonymous]

Anybody ever see the movie "REPO MAN". Find the radio active car and you will find the dead aliens!!!

[wabash1]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Since I am watching placards - will these shipments be marked in any way? And if they are in Colorado - pretty sure they are going thru NE.

I always watch in daylight, so won't notice the glow...........

Mook

Yes it will be marked radio active. or at least it should. and dont get your hopes up to high. there will be a train thru there someday but that would be the logical routing and we all know railroads and goverment dont do the logical. this is to keep the public guessing. we have 1 train that has waste in it most people dont even know its there.

[Anonymous]

Is there a marker for dead aliens?[alien][alien][alien][alien][alien][xx(][xx(][xx(][xx(][xx(]

[ericsp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by NJMike

This subject reminds me of the movie "Runaway Train".

Has anyone seen The Far Side cartoon regarding this subject?

[Puckdropper]

You know, I'd be pretty scared if a train load of anything rolled through MY back yard... No rails there, ya know... (They are in my garage, 1/160th of normal size.)

[mudchicken]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ericsp

QUOTE: Originally posted by NJMike

This subject reminds me of the movie "Runaway Train".

Has anyone seen The Far Side cartoon regarding this subject?

Yeah, the milk carton one is OK...But Engineer Matthews to the passenger train warning about bad "trackulence" ahead was a classic to us track guys...

[88gta350]

Adrianspeeder, The fuel pool at TMI is much more robust than at most other plants. It's behind at least 4 feet of reinforced concrete and under 30 feet of water. Not as secure as the reactor, but still safe. TMI was built heavy duty because of the proximity of the airport. Most plants really don't have much protection for there fuel pools, as they were kinda an afterthought. And terrorism wasn't nearly as big an issue when they were built. I've got some cool pictures of the pool......

The trucks would be placarded. They would have to be so in case of emergencies, responders would know what they were dealing with.

[Mookie]

So - did you catch 60 min last nite and the burying of nuclear waste in Nevada?

Sounds like they will truck it right across our interstate 80 - glad they can use our state for something besides keeping SD and KS apart! But poor Nevada - they are upset and I can't really blame them.

Mookie

[adrianspeeder]

I just saw a sight of things that could happen. It was so shocking that i rented a helicopter to get a good shot. It also seems that a warp in the space time continuum has let the Lehigh Valley RR stay in business.

There is two LV alcos leading a train of unsecured containers of leaking toxic waste, a minute man rocket, and coal to feed any fire that could happen.

The next track has a LV Uboat with a box of high explosives, a tank of LP gas, and a spotlight to guide attack planes in.

Fortunately, there is also a train of passengers to witness this along with me. I could only get two shots before the helo crashed, destroying everything in a 10mile circle.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-7/765223/Picture017.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-7/765223/Picture018.jpg


Adrianspeeder

[espeefoamer]

I saw a car of loose drums labeled toxic waste,coupled to a rocket firing car,with a gasoline car on the next track[:0].With a passenger train on the third track[:0][:0][:0][:0][:0][:0].I wouldn't wantto be within 20 miles of that place[xx(].