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Antennae on frieght cars

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  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Foothills of Western NC
  • 75 posts
Antennae on frieght cars
Posted by Erie-diamond on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 4:38 PM

About maybe ten years ago or so I was in a small Georgia town and was caught at a rr crossing by a slow long aggregate train. About half the train had gone buy until I noticed each car had an antena (much like a car antena) sticking up on the end of each car. Does anyone have any idea of what they were for. Thats the only time I have seen this and really curious. Thanks, Ken

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 5:15 PM

Assume if you looked hard enough you would also see solar panels and a gps antenna on the end car.

- Remotely operated ballast hoppers that either dump by radio remote control or by pre-programmed gps or inertial guidance system coordinates (in either case, the train has to slow down to less than 10-20 MPH to dump ballast effectively)   http://hrsi.com/services/plus-train/

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Foothills of Western NC
  • 75 posts
Posted by Erie-diamond on Thursday, April 14, 2016 6:34 AM

Thanks mudchicken. That was the only time I ever saw that.   Ken

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