Wind turbine/generator "blade train"

[Anonymous]

At approximately 9:15 am this morning as I was exiting the bank in Strong City, Kansas (named after former President of AT&SF, W.B.Strong,) an east bound train off the LaJunita Sub heading into Emporia 1st District territory was the turbine/wind generator "blade train" mentioned in a post last week or so.

The individual blades were securely fastened and wrapped and still showed some flexibility in movement. The length was equal to one and a half cars and was quite a sight to see. One other individual and I commented on what we saw and he thought they were airplane bodies. I passed along what I had read from the original posting.

We do have commercial jet plane bodies from Boeing-Wichita that pass through quite frequently.

Just some FYI, so be on the lookout for the above train to pass through in your area. [:)][^]

[Modelcar]

....In general, those "blades" are about 95' in length. My info is from a wind generator "farm" near Somerset, Pa. and that is the spec's. on those installations. They are mounted on tubular towers of 200' height.

[edblysard]

Look for another one this week, left PTRA yesterday (thursday,08/11/05)morning.
Have one in the docks being assembled for next week.
Ed

[blhanel]

Where are they destined for?

[Anonymous]

darn it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was at work at Croys at 915 thsi morning i wanted to railfan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hey RL hainey I am Daniel Archer I live in Cottonwood Falls dude

[SID6FIVE]

just saw a westbound heading past humboldt yard (minneapolis) this morning...

[TH&B]

Are these "blade" trains track speed trains or are they restricted to some lower speed?

[edblysard]

Once off the Houston Metro Complex, I would guess they run track speed...the one that just left had the blades, hubs and nacells, but no pylons(towers)...we have something like 8 more to ship out over the next few months...


And, we are supposed to get another of the huge SunCo cat cracker towers before October...the Schnabel car that everyone likes should show up pretty soon.

Ed

[Junctionfan]

Hey Ed, I think a boiler from Trenegy in St.Catharines is heading your way. Could you let me know if it's on your consists? I don't know when it will arrive though.

[edblysard]

When did it ship?
We just took a pair of seriously High Wide boliers down to Texas Terminals to be loaded on a ship...special move on depressed flats with idler cars...

Ed

[Anonymous]

So Ed, you are saying another shipment of blades should be coming through Kansas sometime next week?

440cuin: the train that passed through Strong City was at a brisk pace, but not at mainline speed. I wish now that I had counted the number of cars, but wasn't thinking. Was more impressed with the car lading.

Daniel, I know your father and knew of your grandfather and great uncle. They both worked for the Santa Fe. P. S., could you tone down on the exclamation points?

[edblysard]

Should...I will check tomorrow with our trainmaster...it may have gone out while I was off...
Ed

[Anonymous]

It would be worth seeing another one again, the first one was quite impressive. If you can post an update far enough ahead of time, I will be on the look out. I could position myself a little further east next time and see more of the train as it goes by.
No fear of HOMELAND SECURITY, FBI, KGB, or others where I live.

Thanks ED

[videomaker]

Hey Ed,
Are you still running the test cars w/ them.? Thanks, Danny

[Junctionfan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

When did it ship?
We just took a pair of seriously High Wide boliers down to Texas Terminals to be loaded on a ship...special move on depressed flats with idler cars...

Ed

I believe a few days ago on an FWLX 4 truck depressed flat formally owned by Foster Wheeler. The other was QTTX version. They were kind of red in colour.

I heard that Mel Jones Heavy Construction was sending some dimensional loads somewhere in Texas but that doesn't really tell us much but I was just wondering if you get anything from here.

[edblysard]

Andrew,
Unless the shipping papers are attached to the car, I dont often know where the stuff comes from...
All my switch lists shows is if it came in on BNSF, UP or the TexMex...and it shows where to switch it too...
On some loads, the consignment tag is there, some it isnt.

Danny, havent seen the test cars since the first time...so I guess they checked to route and were happy with what they found.
I wish I had a better chance to get photos of them...

RL Hainey, as soon as I know something , I will post here...
Ed
Ed

[Anonymous]

Ed, mind answering a couple of questions?
What is your occupation? Engineer or Conductor
What rail line do you work for?
How long in service?
This has been mentioned before I know, but don't know how far back to look to find the information.

Roland

[nanaimo73]

The turbines go to Canadian Pacific in the Twin Cities and they take them to Rush Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada.

http://www8.cpr.ca/cms/English/CPLS/Successes/Testimonials/CP+brings+wind+power+to+the+prairies.htm

www.hitachi.sk.ca/news/index.php

www.rrpicturearchives.net/srchThumbs.aspx?srch=windmill&search=Search
www.rrpicturearchives.net/locThumbs.aspx?id=70705

[edblysard]

RL,
I work for the PTRA, Port Terminal Railroad Association, Houston, Texas, as an engine foreman, (yard conductor), and have done so for 8 plus years...

Ed

[blhanel]

I suppose if they're sticking to BNSF track until they get to the Twin Cities, the "blade trains" probably don't come anywhere near Eastern Iowa?[:(]

[nanaimo73]

They went through La Crosse. I would assume they went through Fort Madison.
www.rrpicturearchives.net/locThumbs.aspx?id=155995&Page=64