Sept 2 at 238pm NS had an interesting eastbound unit train led by two UP motors. It was a train of flat cars (couldnt tell the reporting marks) but appeared to be TTX type with two objects per car loaded...one over each axle.
The best way to describe these items are as follows: machined ring parts, probably 12" -15" thick. One part would have about 50% of the ring's circle (180 degrees) and the other part would have about 1/3 of the ring's circle (120 degrees). I will attempt another description. Imagine taking a pop or beer can and slicing thru the can and then slice again, leaving a 1" slice. Then take that slice and bisect it. That would be the 180 degree portion. Then trim the other portion.
Obviously this isnt the best description, but the best of my abilities. This was a pretty long train, perhaps 75 - 100 cars. The majority of the car was not utilized , but the placement of the parts above the axles indicated these were heavy.
I saw it on the Chesterton web cam and took a photo of my screen.
Any idea of what these were? My initial guess it was some sort of part for a wind turban but there were no other parts. Any knowledge on origin/destination (possible export?) and whether or not this was a "one off" or regular move. This train didnt appear to be a wide dimension load as instructions were not given to other trains to slow or stop for its passage. I didnt catch the symbol.
Ed
ED (MP173);
Wind Turbine parts might be a pretty good guess! They generally ship the nacelles ( the part with the gearing and moving generator parts) one or sometimes two to a car. All that stuff generally moves by truck from the final rail delivery point, by specialized truck carriers to the location of the 'Wind Farm'. So they may have been set up to be moved by single pieces as a 'truck load' off the train?
About two weeks ago we had a train pass by here with two UP engines; (on BNSF line), and usually, they will get at least one of their units mixed in with the power, that train about 30 'Blades' mounted in pairs on specially rigged flat cars. Those blades usually move over the road at one blade to a rig.
It sounds like empty windmill parts cars.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?road=TTYX&cid=3
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?road=PEYX&cid=3
"No soup for you!" - Yev Kassem (from Seinfeld)
thanks to both for the replies.
ericsp...the train had very similar parts as those shown in the photos. Not exact but similar.
Any idea of where these are manufactured? Destination?Ed
Both GE and Westinghouse are big manufacturers of wind mill. turbines, but could have been manufactured by another company.
For example:
Vestas (Denmark), reputedly the largest such firm;
Gamesa (Spain);
Etc. - see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wind_turbine_manufacturers
- Paul North.
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