One car is on NS310 - Bellevue to Buffalo with the 2x1x1x2 container configuration.
ed
I've seen what appears to be this set of cars on trains running up the Shenanadoah Valley line in VA. They have been mixed in with trash containers, so I assumed they were transporting trash. They are very distinctive, almost like a foreshortened intermodel car set but built to heavier standards.
Sounds like the COLTainers and EPIC containers.
COLTainers were originally an attempt to containerize coal, which didn't work out so well. They were two unit spine cars that could carry 2x1x1x2 coal containers. Later, they were relegated to trash service. There's also largely identical, but shorter in height, containers operated by EPIC.
There are several companies that operate container cars of that description. The containers have to be 20 feet in length. The loading configuration you described suggest that the boxes you saw were loaded, with two boxes being supported by each of the three trucks. They can be a little more spontaneous with loading the empties.The placards probably have a white background, and a class 9 at the bottom. That usually suggests "dirty dirt", i.e., containing low levels of radiation.
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)
Placards definitely speak to some sort of hazardous material.
Can you get a number off one of them?
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...
Both NS and CSX are running what appear to be about 20 ft containers on articulated flat cars. The cars are probably about 80-90 ft long with a middle set of axles. The containers are loaded two high on ends of car with single stack in center.
There are appear to be haz mat placcards on the containers.
Any idea of what these are handling and origin/destination? My guess is some type of haz waste (waste not haz mat) being mined or removed....but only a guess.
Ed
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