A while back there was mention of a trough train on one of the threads...
We happened to have one of the cars in North Yard today...on its way home for repairs, so I thought I would shoot a few photos.
It has 11 segments, dual ratchet hand brakes on each end.
This is just "one" car, it belongs to GRR, Georgetown RailRoad.
23 17 46 11
Close but no cigar Ed, that's not the Trough Train (which was scrapped), but rather the "Slot Train".
....Unusual and unique. Wonder just what it's purpose is....? Wonder how it handles sharp curves in a yard....? Looks like the mating ends {along it's length}, have to slide past each other....and not be bent in so doing.
Quentin
I think the trade name for it is "Slot Machine".
Quentin, it's for dirt, ballast, or whatever that has to be unloaded off the right-of-way. The car has this barrier-free construction so a front-end loader of some sort (probably a Speed Swing) can go the length of the train and clean it out. I'm sure that MC, once he calms his ruffled feathers from the Nebraska trip, can further enlighten us.
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)
.....Thanks Carl....It looked to me it might need some special handling under some circumstances.
What about for carrying 300-foot sections of 1:1 scale "flex track?" Model RRers take note.
cordonWhat about for carrying 300-foot sections of 1:1 scale "flex track?" Model RRers take note.
As my brother would say, "You're sick, you need professional help...."
Don't be too hard on the boy. It could in fact handle "ribbon" or welded rail. It could also allow for a crane of some sort to ride the side rails to lift ties, etc. on and off the car(s).
RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.
Imagine how many tourists that gondola could carry at a tourist railroad!
Also in need of professional help,Bergie
Wait a minute - I volunteer with a tourist railroad!
It might work, as long as we weren't using our RS-3 the way it was running last summer. Everyone would have returned from their trip dressed a la Henry Ford - any color you want, as long as it's black.
Gotta admit, though - someone put some thought into it.
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...
Well,
Since it belongs to GRR which is pretty much a one commodity line, I'm guessing it has something to do with lots of crushed limestone.
Dan
CShaveRR I think the trade name for it is "Slot Machine". Quentin, it's for dirt, ballast, or whatever that has to be unloaded off the right-of-way. The car has this barrier-free construction so a front-end loader of some sort (probably a Speed Swing) can go the length of the train and clean it out. I'm sure that MC, once he calms his ruffled feathers from the Nebraska trip, can further enlighten us.
The slot train is designed to operate with one or more hydraulic excavators (i.e trackhoes) on board which unlike a front end loader have 360 degree range of motion. Google "Georgetown Rail" for detailed info and pics. They also have a self propelled version which uses a diesel electric power unit.
They are designed for handling Ballast, fill, and OTM (other-than-track materials such as used ties).
The company is a subsidiary of GRR that builds and operates specialized MOW equipment (much like Loram,Plasser and Hulcher). Typically, RR's will rent or lease a train set complete with operators from GRR. Amtrak has one of the self propelled units that operates out of it's Pawtucket, RI MOW facility/yard for NEC work that I've seen in action.
It is not designed for laying welded rail, a ribbon rail train has roller equipped racks (I believe Georgetown rail builds and operates some as well)....
"I Often Dream of Trains"-From the Album of the Same Name by Robyn Hitchcock
dharmon Well, Since it belongs to GRR which is pretty much a one commodity line, I'm guessing it has something to do with lots of crushed limestone. Dan
Why would a custom made, trough type car be any better than using half a dozen run of the mill gondolas?
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Read all about it:
http://www.georgetownrail.com/materialHandling/slot_machine.php
carnej1Read all about it: http://www.georgetownrail.com/materialHandling/slot_machine.php
Dang! That's clever!
.
Kootenay CentralOn curves the cable would rub on reinforced car endsinside the sides.
I had never thought about your point about the plow cable needing to be guided to follow the curvature of track. But I have a couple of photos showing a Lidgerwood Unloader on the M&StL RR about 1905. They do not show the plow close up, but the cars are all flatcars. And all their stake pockets are fitted with short, fat stakes about 2 feet high. I was thinking that the stakes were to guide the plow, but that seemed sort of iffy with the gaps between them. But they would seem to be a good way to guide the cable.
Murphy Siding dharmon Well, Since it belongs to GRR which is pretty much a one commodity line, I'm guessing it has something to do with lots of crushed limestone. Dan Are you sure it's not for hauling extruded spaghetti from the mill to the cutting area? Why would a custom made, trough type car be any better than using half a dozen run of the mill gondolas?
Well, I learn something new everyday. Didn't know that GREX was part of GRR.
The reason for my first answer is that Georgetown RR's primary purpose in life is to move around large amounts of limestone from ..Georgetown Texas...
Kootenay CentralBecause of their power, Lidgerwood Winches were often used in conjunction with Auxiliary Cranes to retreive locomotives that had gone astray.
That first of those two posted photos of picking up that Alco is particularly interesting when you blow it up. There is a lot of drama and tension, both in the cables and in the workers making decisions. That guy with his hand on that cable seems to know what he is doing, but I would not be hanging onto that cable or that close to it during the pull. If that knuckle or knuckle pin happens to break, he could get quite a bruise.
dharmon Murphy Siding dharmon Well, Since it belongs to GRR which is pretty much a one commodity line, I'm guessing it has something to do with lots of crushed limestone. Dan Are you sure it's not for hauling extruded spaghetti from the mill to the cutting area? Why would a custom made, trough type car be any better than using half a dozen run of the mill gondolas? Well, I learn something new everyday. Didn't know that GREX was part of GRR. The reason for my first answer is that Georgetown RR's primary purpose in life is to move around large amounts of limestone from ..Georgetown Texas... Dan
It's a logical progression for the Company as their M.O.W business evolved out of equipment they built in house for aggregate service, I understand they've always been a big player in supplying Ballast rock...
Kootenay Central Years ago the same result was accomplished by usingHart Otis gondolas which had horizontally-hinged sidedoors above the floor.The material was unloaded on one side or the otherusing a Lidgerwood Plow which was pulled thru the carsfrom one end to the other on a cable from a steamwinch at the locomotive end.The cars doors were unlatched on the side to bedumped.The plow blade could be swung from side to side beforedumping on side required.If a lot of fill was required at a low spot, the trainwould move along opposite the plow so the fill wouldpile in one place.On curves the cable would rub on reinforced car endsinside the sides.Hinged sheet metal plates swung down to cover the gapat the car ends where the drawbars were.A man with a flag rode the plow to signal winchoperator. A Jordan spreader would then be used to trim the fillto required contour.Into the seventies, in Toronto, CNR used a SteamLidgerwood winch on shop steam to move yard enginesthat were having their wheel treads profiled with'Cutters' affixed where the brake shoes were normally.Lidgerwood Train.http://www.railroad.net/articles/railfanning/worktrains/media/MW_05.jpgJordan Spreader, Water Car for Locomotive, Locomotive,Lidgerwood Winch, Cars of fill.Plow would be in car furthest away to be pulledtowards Lidgerwood and locomotive, ending up on flatcar which then would be remarshalled to far end atpit.http://www.railroad.net/articles/railfanning/worktrains/media/MW_04.jpghttp://www.czimages.com/CZMemories/relocation/prrrl7.htmSteam Winch.http://www.railroad.net/articles/railfanning/worktrains/media/MW_06.jpgGreat fun to watch in operation, until theDiesels came. Because of their power, Lidgerwood Winches were often used in conjunction with Auxiliary Cranes to retreive locomotives that had gone astray. Still in use, once the Diesels came.
Years ago the same result was accomplished by usingHart Otis gondolas which had horizontally-hinged sidedoors above the floor.The material was unloaded on one side or the otherusing a Lidgerwood Plow which was pulled thru the carsfrom one end to the other on a cable from a steamwinch at the locomotive end.The cars doors were unlatched on the side to bedumped.The plow blade could be swung from side to side beforedumping on side required.If a lot of fill was required at a low spot, the trainwould move along opposite the plow so the fill wouldpile in one place.On curves the cable would rub on reinforced car endsinside the sides.Hinged sheet metal plates swung down to cover the gapat the car ends where the drawbars were.A man with a flag rode the plow to signal winchoperator. A Jordan spreader would then be used to trim the fillto required contour.Into the seventies, in Toronto, CNR used a SteamLidgerwood winch on shop steam to move yard enginesthat were having their wheel treads profiled with'Cutters' affixed where the brake shoes were normally.Lidgerwood Train.http://www.railroad.net/articles/railfanning/worktrains/media/MW_05.jpgJordan Spreader, Water Car for Locomotive, Locomotive,Lidgerwood Winch, Cars of fill.Plow would be in car furthest away to be pulledtowards Lidgerwood and locomotive, ending up on flatcar which then would be remarshalled to far end atpit.http://www.railroad.net/articles/railfanning/worktrains/media/MW_04.jpghttp://www.czimages.com/CZMemories/relocation/prrrl7.htmSteam Winch.http://www.railroad.net/articles/railfanning/worktrains/media/MW_06.jpgGreat fun to watch in operation, until theDiesels came.
Because of their power, Lidgerwood Winches were often used in conjunction with Auxiliary Cranes to retreive locomotives that had gone astray.
Still in use, once the Diesels came.
Regarding the Lidgerwood Plow I've seen early motion picture footage of it (or a similar system) in use during the building of the Panama canal which shows the plow moving along the train unloading fill material. The History Channel frequently airs the Panama Canal episode of their Modern Marvels series which includes this..
The UP used this a month or so ago at the ex-DRGW North Yard in Denver, with a trac-hoe that had a shovel bucket, as opposed to a regular backwards bucket. It traveled the length of the car, scooping out some ballast (and tying up a street in the process.) There were two "slot machines" and had a pair of SD&)'s for power.
Patrick Curtis
Make that SD70's....
Limestone is still their main business...
Hey, good to see you again Dan...you home yet or still out in OZ?
carnej1 Read all about it: http://www.georgetownrail.com/materialHandling/slot_machine.php
Thanks for that link. I seen one of these http://www.georgetownrail.com/materialHandling/sps.php on a siding by my house one day and was wondering what it was.
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