CShaveRR It's been tried.ACF had a couple of test "Glasshopper" cars, which were actually spun with glass fibers. I don't think they're around any more.And Union Pacific had a batch of 100 fiberglass-sided mechanical refrigerator cars that were a big thing when they came out in the late 1990s, but the order wasn't repeated. The cars that were built have been repainted for Trinity Industries Leasing Company, and one would be hard-pressed to find any evidence of UP markings on them.If this production material made sense with the technology available, I'd think we'd have seen many more examples.
It's been tried.ACF had a couple of test "Glasshopper" cars, which were actually spun with glass fibers. I don't think they're around any more.And Union Pacific had a batch of 100 fiberglass-sided mechanical refrigerator cars that were a big thing when they came out in the late 1990s, but the order wasn't repeated. The cars that were built have been repainted for Trinity Industries Leasing Company, and one would be hard-pressed to find any evidence of UP markings on them.If this production material made sense with the technology available, I'd think we'd have seen many more examples.
Johnny
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)
What is the conductivity of carbon fiber compared with that of steel?
CandOforprogress220 some years ago Trains or MR did an artical in using plastic stead of steel in boxcars. Just think of the reducation in tare weight that could be utilized in say grain trains by using fiberglass composite as the holding bin. Just think how much money could be saved on light density lines by using the new concrete polumer comsites for track and bridges. Seems that the railroads are still married to 19th centure matriels.
How would 'lightweight' freight cars act in todays 10K+ foot long freight trains with train weight approaching 20K+ tons.
We hear the carbon fiber objects are stronger than steel - how would carbon fiber rails work?
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
20 some years ago Trains or MR did an artical in using plastic stead of steel in boxcars. Just think of the reducation in tare weight that could be utilized in say grain trains by using fiberglass composite as the holding bin. Just think how much money could be saved on light density lines by using the new concrete polumer comsites for track and bridges. Seems that the railroads are still married to 19th centure matriels.
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