Hauling ore in the Artic

[CMStPnP]

Interesting video, looks almost like an American operation.   Check out the funky couplers, guessing the coupler design works better in extreme cold.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfUxVONfHOY&t=14s

 

 

[BaltACD]

CMStPnP

Interesting video, looks almost like an American operation.   Check out the funky couplers, guessing the coupler design works better in extreme cold.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfUxVONfHOY&t=14s

Forget where I read it, but, those Soviet style couplers do not have a draft capacity anywhere near what the US style knuckle couplers have.  Thus their trains are restricted to 6800 tons.

While the line is designed for heavy axle loadings, it is not designed for lenghty US style trains.

[Overmod]

SA-3 (modified Willison) is used because it tolerates 'snow pack' better.

This design is used in Mauritania on up to 21,000t trains.

[OWTX]

Arctic. Artic is UK slang for articulated lorry - semi-trailer trucks.

So this video shows artics hauling iron ore in the Arctic:

https://youtu.be/kfP4JheT8gw?feature=shared

They've got approval to build a 90 mile rail line south to a year round anchorage, but haven't pulled the trigger for a number of reasons. I believe this would be the northern most railway in the world if it ever gets done.