What is it?

[anb740]

I found this pic of.......something the other day while perusing through some others pics. It looks to be an "old school" junkyard car compactor. Any other ideas? I've never seen something like this on a flatcar before!

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=88397

anb740

[edblysard]

That is a sheet metal brake...used to bend sheet metal to precise angles...like the bend in a locomotive cab roof...
Believe it or not, it isnt that big a machine, I have seen some bigger, used to bend panels for ship yards.

Ed

[gabe]

My question is, why do they need three locomotives to pull it?

Gabe

[edblysard]

Well, its not a switching move, note the EOT on the flatcar...best guess is they plan on bringing a pretty big train back with them from where ever they are headed....

Ed

[Anonymous]

I see there's a title of the pic at that link. It notes that it's a Vehicle Compactor .

[anb740]

The train itself is the local. It usually has a LOT more tonnage than this, hence the typical 3-unit power set......however, the crew got lucky on this day. I put in "Vehicle Compactor" as an educated guess. If anyone knows different, speak up. It's interesting to know what the heck I took a picture of! [:D]

[Anonymous]

...if my eyes aren't playin tricks the car is sagging slightly in the middle...