CandOforprogress2"Scale Test Cars are OOS by CSX...
It seems like every road had one of these, does anyone know who built these little cars?
.
Unfortunately, next time may be a long way off. I've been trackside off and on for a long time and I've seen (or photographed) those four-wheel antiques only a handful of times.
An NS two-axle scale test car was dragged around by the local here a couple of weeks ago. It spent the night a hundred yards from the house. Sounds like I better get a photo next time.
Last I looked, OmniTrax was still shopping 4 axle cars for most of the Class Ones at Loveland, CO in the GWRY shop building.
This one was spotted at a scrap yard. The debate on the facebook is if its being sent to railroad heaven or being used to calibrate the scales at the scrap yard. Saw this being towed behind a freight train 2 years ago at Kent State Ohio.
BaltACDI believe CSX does have some 4 axle scale test cars.
Here is one from August 2017.
I believe CSX does have some 4 axle scale test cars. Other than shipper/consignee scales CSX, last I knew, still maintained multiple weigh-in-motion scales at a number of locations that are used for revenue billing. If you are billing for revenue the scales need to be tested and certified from time to time.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
On CN the 2-axle scale test cars are no longer allowed to be handled on their own wheels in a train. The 4-axle ones may be subject to some restrictions, depending on the individual car.
The only time I have ever seen 2-axle scale test cars was when they were being sent to a coal mine with a in-track scale. They were being shipped on a flatcar equipped with a fold-down ramp, possibly this particular car:
https://farm8.static.flickr.com/7467/16072154302_4d440a444d_b.jpg
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Overmod Aren't most modern scales load-cell based, and can't even mechanical scales now be tested electronically at a small fraction of peak test load? Those little four-wheel cars are a waste and disaster for precision scheduled railroading attempts, too. I know of at least one major wreck, on N&W, caused by one of the wretched little things. If there is a reasonable modern replacement for them, regardless of the technology it uses, then good riddance.
Aren't most modern scales load-cell based, and can't even mechanical scales now be tested electronically at a small fraction of peak test load?
Those little four-wheel cars are a waste and disaster for precision scheduled railroading attempts, too. I know of at least one major wreck, on N&W, caused by one of the wretched little things. If there is a reasonable modern replacement for them, regardless of the technology it uses, then good riddance.
I haven't seen a 2-axle scale car in a few years. But we do frequently see the 4-axle test cars since we have several customers with scales. The 4-axle ones don't have any special handling requirements.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
Have scales been eliminated too?
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.