Bad train pictures

[tree68]

And here's another question:

Today I observed two MILW hoppers (120034 and 120080). Both appeared to be in original paint, ie not patched, leading one to assume that they've been running around with MILW reporting marks since the demise of the Milwaukee Road.

The question: Is it possible for a car to completely escape tracking by its rightful owner and continue to "work?" I can see that it would be difficult to do that in the world of loose car railroading, but it would seem somehow probable that in a business like coal, where there might be a perennial shortage of cars, that it could happen. I know it should get caught when inspections and such are due, but, hey, it's a question.

The short string of cars I saw had half a dozen or more reporting marks, including AEPX, SOO, UP, MILW, and MP - very different from the usual unit train of coal I see where virtually all the the cars have one of just a few reporting marks, if more than one at all.

[tree68]

And here's another question:

Today I observed two MILW hoppers (120034 and 120080). Both appeared to be in original paint, ie not patched, leading one to assume that they've been running around with MILW reporting marks since the demise of the Milwaukee Road.

The question: Is it possible for a car to completely escape tracking by its rightful owner and continue to "work?" I can see that it would be difficult to do that in the world of loose car railroading, but it would seem somehow probable that in a business like coal, where there might be a perennial shortage of cars, that it could happen. I know it should get caught when inspections and such are due, but, hey, it's a question.

The short string of cars I saw had half a dozen or more reporting marks, including AEPX, SOO, UP, MILW, and MP - very different from the usual unit train of coal I see where virtually all the the cars have one of just a few reporting marks, if more than one at all.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I'm not sure of this but the MILW reporting marks probably belong to CP by way of Soo Line. Similar situations apply to other fallen flags.
Not all unit trains use shipper-owned cars. I've seen several unit trains using railroad-owned hoppers and if an interline operation is involved, the cars may be owned by several railroads.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I'm not sure of this but the MILW reporting marks probably belong to CP by way of Soo Line. Similar situations apply to other fallen flags.
Not all unit trains use shipper-owned cars. I've seen several unit trains using railroad-owned hoppers and if an interline operation is involved, the cars may be owned by several railroads.

[CShaveRR]

The MILW reporting marks are assigned to the Soo Line, which is still shown as a separate entity from CP.

Some railroads prefer to reletter--and renumber--the equipment inherited from merger partners (NS, CSXT, and BNSF), others (UP, CP, CN) do not. In fact, I've recently seen a couple of freshly-repainted box cars carrying the CN logo and web address, but still lettered for the Illinois Central Gulf--reporting marks and road name stencilled on the cars! How hard would it have been to leave off the "Gulf", which IC did nearly 20 years ago?

[CShaveRR]

The MILW reporting marks are assigned to the Soo Line, which is still shown as a separate entity from CP.

Some railroads prefer to reletter--and renumber--the equipment inherited from merger partners (NS, CSXT, and BNSF), others (UP, CP, CN) do not. In fact, I've recently seen a couple of freshly-repainted box cars carrying the CN logo and web address, but still lettered for the Illinois Central Gulf--reporting marks and road name stencilled on the cars! How hard would it have been to leave off the "Gulf", which IC did nearly 20 years ago?

[Junctionfan]

How long are the UPS trains and do they only comprise of UPS trailers or do they include other trailers probably LTL?

[Junctionfan]

How long are the UPS trains and do they only comprise of UPS trailers or do they include other trailers probably LTL?

[oltmannd]

UPS trains generally carry other premium business, as well. I know of no "UPS only" train.

[oltmannd]

UPS trains generally carry other premium business, as well. I know of no "UPS only" train.

[espeefoamer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

Paula, Paula, Paula [sigh]!

It's far easier to show someone the differences than to describe them. Some of the diesel-spotters' guides have illustrations of various models, and you can decide for yourself what makes them look distinctive to a given builder.

A GP is a model built by EMD (the Electro-Motive Division of GM).

An Alco is built by the American Locomotive Company or its successors. If your Mutt starts foaming at the mouth when he sees an Alco, he's got a good reason--none of them have been built in about 35 years.

It's still safe to say (for the most part) that GEs sound different from GMs. If it screams, chugs, and/or wheezes when it goes by (or makes a traditional air-compressor noise sometimes when it's standing still), it's a GE. The GMs (EMDs) sound a lot smoother.

I think it's also safe to say that if it has radiators (not fans) on top of the roof, and "wings" at the hind end, it's a GE. The GE widenose cab is unique; GM's gone through a few nose designs and variations.

So get on out there, and keep your eyes and ears open!

Carl

Another way to tell the difference between GE and EMD by the sound:If an engine is completely silent,making no sound at all,(because the engine has konked out) it is most likely a GE[}:)]!

[espeefoamer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

Paula, Paula, Paula [sigh]!

It's far easier to show someone the differences than to describe them. Some of the diesel-spotters' guides have illustrations of various models, and you can decide for yourself what makes them look distinctive to a given builder.

A GP is a model built by EMD (the Electro-Motive Division of GM).

An Alco is built by the American Locomotive Company or its successors. If your Mutt starts foaming at the mouth when he sees an Alco, he's got a good reason--none of them have been built in about 35 years.

It's still safe to say (for the most part) that GEs sound different from GMs. If it screams, chugs, and/or wheezes when it goes by (or makes a traditional air-compressor noise sometimes when it's standing still), it's a GE. The GMs (EMDs) sound a lot smoother.

I think it's also safe to say that if it has radiators (not fans) on top of the roof, and "wings" at the hind end, it's a GE. The GE widenose cab is unique; GM's gone through a few nose designs and variations.

So get on out there, and keep your eyes and ears open!

Carl

Another way to tell the difference between GE and EMD by the sound:If an engine is completely silent,making no sound at all,(because the engine has konked out) it is most likely a GE[}:)]!

[CShaveRR]

Now, come on! I was trying to be nice here. Besides, CW lives in slug country, so silence isn't the best clue to GEs in that case.

[CShaveRR]

Now, come on! I was trying to be nice here. Besides, CW lives in slug country, so silence isn't the best clue to GEs in that case.

[Junctionfan]

Are there solid domenstic container trains (double stacked or not?) and if so how long are they? Which railroads run thease?

[Junctionfan]

Are there solid domenstic container trains (double stacked or not?) and if so how long are they? Which railroads run thease?

[locomutt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

Now, come on! I was trying to be nice here. Besides, CW lives in slug country, so silence isn't the best clue to GEs in that case.

Now,lets see;the GEs, are they the ones that go: POKA,POKA,POKA,POKA,THUD[?]
If so that's about half what we get thru here daily.[:D]

[locomutt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

Now, come on! I was trying to be nice here. Besides, CW lives in slug country, so silence isn't the best clue to GEs in that case.

Now,lets see;the GEs, are they the ones that go: POKA,POKA,POKA,POKA,THUD[?]
If so that's about half what we get thru here daily.[:D]

[Junctionfan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by M.W. Hemphill

Sort of, Andrew. There are solid blocks, at least, and sometimes all of the blocks on one train happen to be all one customer. I would bet that the mostly likely customer for that to occur for is J.B. Hunt. But I know of no regular double-stack movement that is restricted to one customer. I think it would be unusual enough that the customer and railroad would want everyone to know about it, too.

I was thinking more of a mixed domestic container freight-APL, Pacer Stack Train, EMP, NACS, STAX etc.

[Junctionfan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by M.W. Hemphill

Sort of, Andrew. There are solid blocks, at least, and sometimes all of the blocks on one train happen to be all one customer. I would bet that the mostly likely customer for that to occur for is J.B. Hunt. But I know of no regular double-stack movement that is restricted to one customer. I think it would be unusual enough that the customer and railroad would want everyone to know about it, too.

I was thinking more of a mixed domestic container freight-APL, Pacer Stack Train, EMP, NACS, STAX etc.

[Junctionfan]

Are they priority trains or regular?

[Junctionfan]

Are they priority trains or regular?

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

Now, come on! I was trying to be nice here. Besides, CW lives in slug country, so silence isn't the best clue to GEs in that case.

Hmmmmmm. Slug. GE. Some might say that the slug is better than the GE. I have no opinion in the matter....

What's twice as quiet as a slug? A slug hooked to a GE..... [:D]

<Psssssst - 'Mutt... Christmas present idea: Diesel Spotters Guide>

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

Now, come on! I was trying to be nice here. Besides, CW lives in slug country, so silence isn't the best clue to GEs in that case.

Hmmmmmm. Slug. GE. Some might say that the slug is better than the GE. I have no opinion in the matter....

What's twice as quiet as a slug? A slug hooked to a GE..... [:D]

<Psssssst - 'Mutt... Christmas present idea: Diesel Spotters Guide>

[Anonymous]

Hey, I wouldn't mind a few of those types of presents under the tree either. [;)]


OK, next question for

MC
LC
Carl
Mark
Ed
and others who might know.

Is there such a thing as a railroad drawbridge and if so where? The reason I ask is this. I have seen lift span bridges, we have one here. I have seen pics of railroad swing bridges that basically turn on a turntable type operation. But is there or has there ever been a railroad drawbridge? I have a thread going in the Model Railroader forum about bridges. Here is a link to it.

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=21744

Is a railroad drawbridge even practical? If so, it seems like it would have to be fairly short. We have seen movies of the drawbridge going up on cars and trucks, so what about trains? Do any of the "road" drawbridges have a set of railroad tracks under the road section?

Awww, now I bet I have a few thinking on this one. [;)] [:D]

[Anonymous]

Hey, I wouldn't mind a few of those types of presents under the tree either. [;)]


OK, next question for

MC
LC
Carl
Mark
Ed
and others who might know.

Is there such a thing as a railroad drawbridge and if so where? The reason I ask is this. I have seen lift span bridges, we have one here. I have seen pics of railroad swing bridges that basically turn on a turntable type operation. But is there or has there ever been a railroad drawbridge? I have a thread going in the Model Railroader forum about bridges. Here is a link to it.

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=21744

Is a railroad drawbridge even practical? If so, it seems like it would have to be fairly short. We have seen movies of the drawbridge going up on cars and trucks, so what about trains? Do any of the "road" drawbridges have a set of railroad tracks under the road section?

Awww, now I bet I have a few thinking on this one. [;)] [:D]

[edblysard]

Yes Jim, there is...
The original causeway from the mainland to Galveston Island was designed with a counter weight drawbridge almost dead center, to allow entrance into the harbor by ocean going ships.
The original is still there, althought restricted to train only traffic, (no automobiles or pedestrians)

From the beginning, the causeway was meant for the interurban and freight service between Houston and Galveston, and had only a one lane automobile/horse and carrige lane, with double tracks for the trains.

It still stands today, part of the BNSF main onto the island, and the drawbridge is still working.
Type Galveston Causeway into your search engine, there are a lot of photos of it being built...

Ed

[edblysard]

Yes Jim, there is...
The original causeway from the mainland to Galveston Island was designed with a counter weight drawbridge almost dead center, to allow entrance into the harbor by ocean going ships.
The original is still there, althought restricted to train only traffic, (no automobiles or pedestrians)

From the beginning, the causeway was meant for the interurban and freight service between Houston and Galveston, and had only a one lane automobile/horse and carrige lane, with double tracks for the trains.

It still stands today, part of the BNSF main onto the island, and the drawbridge is still working.
Type Galveston Causeway into your search engine, there are a lot of photos of it being built...

Ed

[dehusman]

Drawbridges are very common. Go to Chicago, they are all over the place. There were at least 3 or 4 in the Philadelphia area. At Darby Creek (near Eddystone, PA) the PRR and RDG both had multiple track drawbridges side by side.

Dave H.

[dehusman]

Drawbridges are very common. Go to Chicago, they are all over the place. There were at least 3 or 4 in the Philadelphia area. At Darby Creek (near Eddystone, PA) the PRR and RDG both had multiple track drawbridges side by side.

Dave H.