Railroad Bunkcars.

[Anonymous]

Do railroads still use bunkcars when they are doing major maintance on a stretch of track? Do they have one track gang and move them from one job sight to another?

[Anonymous]

NS still has some bunk cars, converted from boxcars. Except for the bunks and diners assigned to the two remaining derricks, most of the former passenger cars are gone. There may be a old baggage car and some power cars still in use, but mostly converted boxcars and small trailers. The trailers are either welded to a flat car or move around on highway wheels.
Large railroads will have several large gangs staying in bunk cars/trailers. They could be tie gangs, surfacing gangs, rail gangs, ballast, etc.
Gangs include machine operators, laborers, machine repairmen, foremen, etc. Kitchen and meal preparation is handled by a contractor. Trailers are usually equipped with four bunks and the boxcars with six to eight. It's close quarters in there, so you really got to be able to get along.
Regards and have a safe day. gdc

[Anonymous]

Two remaining derricks! I did not know there were any of them still in active service. What are they used for? Are they still steam powered? Do any of the other railroads still have them? I seen one in use in 1969 on the Illinios Central Gulf. Still was steam powered. That thing was powerful, watched it drag a coal car still full with coal up a embankment like the car was still on rails.
TIM A

[Anonymous]

Tim,
The two derricks are 250 Ton capacity Industrial Brownhoist wrecking derricks. One is stationed in Roanoke and the other, I believe, in Williamson, WV. That puts them at opposite ends of the coal fields. Most derailments can be cleaned up by the contractors, such as R. J. Corman, but due to the terrain in these areas, sometimes a derrick can do the job better. Now you've got my curiosity going. It's been a while since I've been by the place where they are kept, but the last time they had a former Southern lightweight baggage/RPO, a modernized Southern heavyweight coach and a heavy weight sleeper, I think, former N&W ISLAND ROSE. There are also several track panel cars and a boom tender. When last I knew, the cars still cooked their own meals when called out, but that may have changed. There was nothing like a meal on the derrick diner, though! Stick to your ribs!!!!
Regards, have a safe day. gdc

[Anonymous]

I forgot to mention, they're diesel. There hasn't been an active steam derric on N&W since the 60's.
gdc

[Modelcar]

...Great info on Derricks. I too am surprised to hear of ANY in operation yet..Steam or Diesel. I believe the last I witnessed a Steam Crane in operation possibly would have been in my home area of Pennsylania...On the B & O and that probably would have been back in the 40's..!

QM

[wabash1]

the gangs that i have seen on the ns are in trailers. the boxcars are for parts and supplies.

[Anonymous]

There are still some with the system gangs. It's a diminishing number, though. Most are in trailers or those things welded to flat cars. NS bought some of those from Amtrak.
Regards and have a safe day. gdc

[Anonymous]

OK Tim, you got my curiosity going...I went over to the derrick track just to check what was there. The 250 Ton Industrial was there, but apparently meals are no longer prepared in a kitchen. There were 2 former Southern Railway lightweight baggage and rpo's and one modernized Southern heavy weight coach along with 3 panel cars, a tool car and a boom tender.
These are diesel wrecking cranes and are used in picking up derailments. They are not used much as most derailment cleanup is done by contractors such as Hulcher or R. J. Corman.
Used to be you could get a good meal on the wreck diner, but unless you were with the crew, you had to be invited . Lots of steak, roast beef, pork chops, potatoes, beans, etc. Good when you're hungry. Too bad!
Regards and have a safe day. gdc

[Anonymous]

With the kitchen cars, did the crew have to pay for there meals? Do they have to pay if the meal is catered? Do these bunk cars have all the comforts of home? (TV,Laundry,and shower). Heard those guy's would work there butts off, for they were alway's on a tight schdule.
TIM A

[Anonymous]

No one has to pay for a meal now or before. Wreck train cars did have a shower, but mostly bunks and kitchen facilities. On the N&W, old heavyweight open section sleeping cars were used and when they were converted to wreck train use, the sections and bedrooms were left intact. The diner was usually a separate car that had the interior altered for a kitchen and one long table down the middle. The Bellevue derrick had an originally built diner,(former NKP, I believe). As far as TV and phone hookups, there is very little use for them on wreck trains. You're either working, sleeping or in transit. And you're correct, the big hook was out as short a time as possible.
Tim, I don't know if you're aware of the terminology for wreck trains, but here's some. Some railroads called them Big Hooks, Hooks, Wreck Train, Derrick Trains, Emergency Service Trains or Wreckers. There may be some other names out there, but the ones used on NS were Derricks or Hooks.
Bunk cars or trailers for MofW gangs can easily be rigged for television but not cable. Most of the employees have cell phones or the train is parked near a spot where a phone line can be installed. The train is usually equipped with either a shower and water car or individually hooked up to a potable water tank.
Those MofW employees not using a bunk car or trailer are housed in a nearby motel and transported by a gang assigned bus. Some employees also bring their own cars for which they are allowed mileage to and from home.
Hope this has answered some of your questions. Regards and have a safe day. gdc