Container identification

Triplex Oct 14, 2015

  1. Triplex

    Triplex TrainBoard Member

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    I can't remember if these have "always" been there, but recently I've been increasingly conscious of the appearance of a certain type of container.

    White containers with no prominent side markings but two large vents:
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/129093250@N02/21818942649/in/album-72157659570189485/ at the far right
    at 0:26
    Here's a similar container with only one vent, bearing reporting marks CPPU 90007
    at 1:24
    These never appear in groups.

    I was reminded of this photo
    http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=519153&nseq=0
    and wondered if these were also distributed braking containers.
     
  2. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hmmm. I'd never paid close attention. Now you have made me curious.
     
  3. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

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    I think they are gensets to power refrigerated containers.
     
  4. Kevin Anderson

    Kevin Anderson TrainBoard Member

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    I noticed they are on Canadian trains.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
     
  5. Ike the BN Freak

    Ike the BN Freak TrainBoard Member

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    Gonna say the same thing
     
  6. Triplex

    Triplex TrainBoard Member

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    I know that distributed braking cars were used by roads including CP and BN, and their use has been attributed to cold climates. I sort of recall hearing of SP braking cars, though...

    I noticed that these containers sometimes appear close to a midtrain DPU, which doesn't fit my hypothesis.

    For most of my railfan life, I assumed that refrigerator cars were self-powered. Then I heard of a Russian setup with four reefers powered by a single generator. Then, with much stronger relation to North American practice, I heard that F40PH in Panama were dual-service locomotives, supplying HEP to refrigerated containers when in freight service. I thought, "If they do that, why doesn't any North American freight railroad?"
     

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