Found this video today on YerTubz from Virtual Railfan of a Schnabel lashup heading south through San Juan Capastrano almost three years ago. Works better when slowed down to 1/4 speed. No idea what they picked up in San Diego, but smart money bet is that the load arrived by sea.
The caption said a nuclear cask.
What I find interesting about the Schnabel cars is that their load becomes part of the car, as opposed to being carried on the car.
Whoever designs the item in question has to do so based on the requirements of the car.
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tree68 What I find interesting about the Schnabel cars is that their load becomes part of the car, as opposed to being carried on the car. Whoever designs the item in question has to do so based on the requirements of the car.
Well, usually. Except:
That insert turns it into a "regular" flat car.
I can't find the picture online, but I've seen one that shows a way to unload a Schnabel car. You find a track switch with the appropriate geometry. You run one end onto one track, throw the switch, and run the other end onto the adjacent track. After you've gone far enough, the load is over the ground, and can be removed. Yes, really.
Ed
Point taken!
As noted, though, the center portion is removable. The ends could still be used to haul a load built to be carried between them.
When I worked for an Electric Utility, extra Large transformers, generaters, some reactor vessels and other massive loads were shipped utilizing Schnabel cars. They are all special moves.
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