Mike, this is an interesting subject. I worked for the Santa Fe back in the 70s and 80s and for a while was in the rate department. we got all kinds of requests for loads that were over dimensional and I quoted rates for heat exchangers, steel beams, pipes, you name it moving from/to/via the Santa Fe. Once I quoted the rates, i would transfer the person to the clearance department upstairs so they would figure out if the load could move and if via the routing I chose. It was very interesting work. Being in N gauge, my eye is always looking for different things that could be loaded on flats or into gons. Just looking at anything, say the plastic cover on a razor or things like that can develop into loads. And by the way, since you are running the railroad, you don't have to figure out what the item is for, just that you can move it safely and make money doing so. Great topic and great pictures.
Ted Fisk
Ted,
Thanks for the recollections Between you and Charlie, it's a topic that interests old rails a lot, too, and I think that's always good input to have on board. I've got some other ideas and will get back to them once I get past the ops session marathon I've been running the last couple of weeks.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL