edblysard Also known as "Tank Tainers" a trade name I have seen on a few...
Also known as "Tank Tainers" a trade name I have seen on a few...
There used to be an N-scale version of this available about 5 or 6 years ago. I think it was sold by Deluxe Innovations.
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AgentKidAt first, I thought like you did, that they were used for some sort of exotic chemicals, but once I knew to look for the connecting hoses I saw very few, if any, of those 20' units not in captive service with specific containers. I expect the whole rigamarole deadheads back to the shipper together, since you could buy the propane anywhere.
I think we are looking at exactly what you think it is: a dedicated fuel reservoir for up to four adjacent cars with engine-driven HVAC. That would reduce the need for individual fuel tankage in the containers themselves, and permit a greatly extended unattended run time.
I wonder if there is an analogue to this setup for routes that have prohibitions against gas pressure tanks in tunnels, etc. -- perhaps using diesel fuel. Also would seem like a natural for CNG conversion... perhaps the setup is already using CNG instead of something more 'conventional' like propane or LPG.
Now I am kicking myself for not having thought of this idea sooner...
Wizlish, Thanks for the photo. I don't think I've ever seen one of those things in a 40' size. I haven't spent significant time trackside since 2012.
At first, I thought like you did, that they were used for some sort of exotic chemicals, but once I knew to look for the connecting hoses I saw very few, if any, of those 20' units not in captive service with specific containers. I expect the whole rigamarole deadheads back to the shipper together, since you could buy the propane anywhere.
Bruce
So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.
"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere" CP Rail Public Timetable
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. . . __ . ______
AgentKidI guess I was way ahead of my time when I posted about these containers 5-8 years ago, and was subject to all sorts of ridicule.
They are made in 40' length, too, although I confess to thinking they look susceptible to damage if mishandled even slightly in predictable sorts of accidents:
I think it's probably been mentioned, all those years ago, that the tank size is smaller and the tare weight much higher for the container tanks. I think that reduces their effective use to cargoes like specialty chemicals, particularly high-value material from European (or Asian?) sources that can travel effectively via container ship. I do not know what arrangements need to be made to deadhead the empty tank containers, but that could only add to the overall cost of using them.
I guess I was way ahead of my time when I posted about these containers 5-8 years ago, and was subject to all sorts of ridicule. You would see them running west of Calgary.
Something to watch for is seeing two of these 20 footers in the bottom of a well car and two well cars with temperature controlled containers double stacked on either side. Hoses are run from what I presume are the tanks filled with propane, to the double stacked containers on either side. There are fancy looking connectors on either end of the hoses, which look a little larger than air brake hoses, that I assume pop closed should the cars separate in an accident.
I am surprised no one has posted photos of these cars yet. Unfortunatly my health is such that I am not likely going to be the one to go out and get a photo.
BOURBON!One 20 footer, if purloined, would keep me happy for the rest of my life.
Beer!!!
Schneider has 40' tank containers in sevice to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6twSU41_qQ&list=WL&index=98
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Convicted OneWhat kind of "elevated temperature" lading might they be sending across the ocean?
I don't know whether this particular product travels across the ocean, but some chemicals travel "hot". For instance, some forms of MDI (may be known as isocyanic acid) needs to transported/stored at 106-118°F. More on this product from Dow, including the temperature chart on pg 15: http://www.dow.com/polyurethane/pdfs/Safe_Handling_Pure_Modified_and_Polymeric_MDI.pdf
And if you want to know more about heating these tanks, see this reference that covers, among other things, electric and steam heating of these tanks:
http://www.tankspan.com/tankcomponents.pdf
Thanks! That is about what I saw (20').
What kind of "elevated temperature" lading might they be sending across the ocean?
Convicted One Maybe one of you can help me with this, tonight I caught a quick glimpse of what appeared to be stubby tank modules riding in well cars. Never seen this before. All I could read was "Elevated Temperature (material handling?)" And "Eurasia (Leasing?)" these tanks were of a length that two would fit tandem in a standard well, some were paired with short shipping container type boxes. What/who are these critters?
Maybe one of you can help me with this, tonight I caught a quick glimpse of what appeared to be stubby tank modules riding in well cars. Never seen this before.
All I could read was "Elevated Temperature (material handling?)"
And "Eurasia (Leasing?)" these tanks were of a length that two would fit tandem in a standard well, some were paired with short shipping container type boxes.
What/who are these critters?
There are 'container' tanks. Tanks constructed within the framework of international containers. They can be shipped on truck, rail or water as necessary between shipper and consignee. Those that I have personally seen were constructed as a 20 foot container. The 20 foot container is the standard measuring unit in the container shipping industury with container ships being measured in TEU's - Twenty foot Equivalent Units.
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