BNSF Intermodal Smell

[ericsp]

Has anyone else noticed the smell of BNSF intermodal trains? I have not noticed it on other BNSF trains or on UP trains. It smells similar to the grease used on heavy equipment used in the construction industry. I wonder if BNSF uses a different grease on the bearings of intermodal cars than on other cars. If so, I am assuming it is manufacturer approved.

[ericsp]

I know it seems unlikely, however I cannot think of another origin. Does TTX do the maintenance on the cars or the road they are on at the time? I did notice "Restricted Interchange Service(?)" stencilled on many TTX spine cars that I got to see up close a few years ago.

[BaltACD]

Only thing besides, animinal hide cars, that would cause a smell to a train, would be the residual smell from a heavy brake application, hot brake shoes and wheels burning off the grease they accumulate. Secondly, railroads are now using 'Greasers' to limit flange/rail friction in terrritories with a high degree of curvature....I would suspect different varieties of 'Greaser' grease would smell different when they are burnt.

[ericsp]

Interesting theory, however, the reason why I wrote this is because I smelt a northward train just before I go home today. The last mountain range it came through is the Tehachapis, I doubt there are flange greasers in the San Joaquin Valley. I was close to a UP intermodal train a few mintues before the BNSF one, I did not notice an unusual smell.

I suppose another unlikely theory is it could have something to do with all of the UPS trailers. I will have to try to smell one they next time I find one parked somewhere. I wonder if they would mind if I went to the nearest terminal and asked to smell their trailers, they might have someone in white coming out to meet me.[(-D]

[edblysard]

Now ya see why I love this place...[:D]

Ed

[MP173]

Eric:

Very simple explanation....that would be the smell of a train that runs, vs a UP train which doesnt run.

ed

[eolafan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MP173

Eric:

Very simple explanation....that would be the smell of a train that runs, vs a UP train which doesnt run.

ed

[:D] HA, HA, HA, HA...now THAT'S a funny answer, very, very good one!

[ericsp]

I was driving behind a Knight Transportation truck on my way to work on Thursday. I noticed that it smelled like the BNSF intermodal trains. I have also noticed that the BNSF stack trains to not have this odor. It is looking more like it is the trailers. Maybe the UP intermodal trains do smell like this and for some reason I have not noticed it on all or some and/or forgot.

[canazar]

Oh, thank you, thank you thank you for the thread[:D]

My finacee is very patient about my love of trains. (from modeling to railfanning) but sometimes she wonder if I am bit out there. "You are going with the kid AGAIN to see trains?"

Well now, I have been able to say I am quite the mild one. "Hey honey, look at these guys... The love trains so much, the smell them!!"

She just gave me and I could see it on her face what she was thinking.[:0]..

"oh great, now he gonna be off sniffin the back side of trains......."


Best Regards
John kanicsar

[oltmannd]

A lot of the flange greaser grease these days a biodegradable "bio-grease" instead of being petroleum based. I imagine that would smell different from petroleum based grease.

[SteelMonsters]

Bio-grease? Never heard of that...

While you guys are smelling intermodel, mind cluing me in on that stuff?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ericsp

Has anyone else noticed the smell of BNSF intermodal trains? I have not noticed it on other BNSF trains or on UP trains. It smells similar to the grease used on heavy equipment used in the construction industry. I wonder if BNSF uses a different grease on the bearings of intermodal cars than on other cars. If so, I am assuming it is manufacturer approved.

Perhaps there was a number of containers that were actually trasporting some sort of oil or grease. [?]

[dldance]

you are most likely smelling the grease from the 5th wheel platform - most truck keep that very well lubed and it would transfer to thecorresponding plate around the trailer's pin.

dd