I am looking for information on the following types of cars QTTX Heavy Duty Flatcar another one a different type same type again The sort of info I need is, is the deck smooth metal, to which tie down fixings can be welded? Some appear to have white painted decks, and a message saying 'do not weld here', does this just apply to the curved section of the depressed center ones? Do any of them have wood decks, and are there any apertures in the deck? If anyone has photographs, drawings or other info. on these cars I would love to see them Thanks in advance.
Perfect timing! I was just about to start scratchbuilding a car like those! I might have pics of the deck of one of those, but I'll have to look. Many of those cars are made by Gunderson Bros. in Portland Oregon and I've taken pics of them from the upper level of the Superliners before. As for the loads, the first couple are a large valve assembly for a pipeline and the other one is either a pump or a turbine. I'm not sure if it's supposed to suck or blow, but one of the two. Looks like is could be a very large turbocharger for some sort of a huge engine, possibly a steam plant.
Alan, Here are a couple of design and engineering firms ... links. Maybe a point of reference? Starfire TNC ...Eddie
The thing I find interesting are all those guys wires holding that load in place. Are there speed restrictions when a train has a load like that in it? I imagine that's an expensive item to drop on the ground.
Alan, I once was going to kitbash the 340T version, till I saw it was on your list... Try TTX's home page I once emailed them, and they sent me a folder of engineering drawings, car info, and stuff for all their QTTX cars. Still have it, if you want it. Keep me posted.
Hey Hemi, Could I get a copy of the info from TTX? I'll gladly pay for copying and postage. Please let me know, CHris
Jeremy, I would love to see the stuff you acquired from TTX. Are the drawings, etc. additional to what is available on their website?
If anyone else wants a copy, You can either email TTX with your request, or privately mail me with your addy, and I'll mail out some copies. There are no pictures, only engineering drawing, and misc. tech data and way-over-my-head-info for load carrying capacity, etc. It is current as of June, 2000. There are desciptions for cars with 120T capacity, to the monster 12-axle behemoths that can carry 340T. TTX sent it in a nice, yellow presentation folder, with acetate cover. How cool! Their website had much to be desired for the kitbasher/mold maker. The pics are for an 8-axle car, while there are cars with 4-12 axles that have been produced. Alan, a 12-axle car would be sweet! But I guess what you make is up to you... Once again, if you'd like a copy of a certain type of car, and its info, or whole thing, email me privately with an address, and I'll send it out as soon as I can.
Conductors on trains handling high-wide loads are given special instructions for them. Sometimes there are no restrictions, sometimes several pages of them. The most common restrictions on the loads we handle from GE Power Systems at Schenectady, NY are 25 MPH, two empty spacer cars between the engine and the special load and restricted or prohibited meets with other trains at certain locations. Some other loads I have handled require stop and walk by certain obstructions, speed limits on some bridges (5 MPH) and daylight only movement. Railroads maintain a 'clearance bureau' that gives permission for each load and issues a 'file clearance' or some other movement authority for each load. These cars must be measured and inspected by the railroad mechanical department before acceptance. The larger 'Schnabel' cars even have devices to shift the load sideways in order to clear some obstructions. All these loads are under 'special movements',even when handled in regular trains, and can cost BIG bucks.
Here is a 200 ton job sitting over at TXU plant here in Ft. Worth. Can't get permission to enter the plant anymore since Sept.11th. so this is all I can get. Look on "There is More Than Trains" Form for more data on this car. [ 31 January 2002, 22:16: Message edited by: watash ]
Gentlemen, The info you requested is in the mail, as of Wed. I have one more ste, and can make more if anyonw would like one. Thanks!
They showed up in todays mail (in between the 2 GP30s from Tunnel88 and the cars from eBay ). Thanks a bunch and if I can ever return the favor, Just ask!
Jeremy, the plans arrived this morning THANK YOU!!! Now I have to decide which one I will produce first The information is more than I expected, as there are quite a number of variations, both in number of axles, weight limits, and deck styles. Looks like I will have to do several versions.
I can hardly wait till they're announced! I still need to order some finger rack cars, DODX flats, and bulkhead cars, and some gons... I saw DODX flats this last week with some kind of concrete cylinder on it... pretty cool. Keep us posted, Alan, and for all you folks who wanted the info, glad to help! I can make more copies, if needed. Any takers?
