Weird and unusual rolling stock have always interested me. Someone would never believe you if you modeled one or two. On my list is the D&RGW “clearance car” The pic doesn’t show it well, but there are beams sticking out on either side for width clearance as well. List your pics of unusual cars as well on this thread.
John;
That car is a little less complicated than several others I have seen. The rods on this style car would deflect, then hold their position so the crew could measure the amount of deviance from the loading gauge. I think the last time I saw this style of clearance car was the early 1980s. Currently the railroads are using cars that measure clearances with a form of lazar technology (way over my head).
I think the nickname for this type of car (on some railroads at least) was porcupine car (due to the clearance rods sticking out like the quills on a porcupine).
Thanks for the photo,
David Meashey
Dave is this what you are talking about.
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" border=“0” alt=“Photobucket”>Alan The Gal Line
ok, thats neat.
Here’s a giant “Roundup” sprayer.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/Marion027Med.jpg)
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/Marion031Med.jpg)
The B&O clearance car
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/BO021Med.jpg)
Here’s Santa Fe’s version of the “giant Roundup sprayer”
I saw a string of “fire” tank cars in the BNSF yards here recently. (No camera with me.)
Just imagine regular tank cars, with a deck on top and a huge swivel nozzle. I imagine there were
self-contained pumps on board up on top as well.
I’ll see if I can find a pic somewhere.
Also, building some narrow Gauge, backwoods fire fighting equipment is on my list.
Alan;
That’s it. Today the big roads use some kind of lazar measuring equipment. I guess a model could use red LED strobs to simulate it.
Yours,
David Meashey
The Illinois Central Gulf railroad in the 80’s had a converted boxcar similiar to the Asplundh pictured above except that it had a deck and swivel nozzle like John was talking about up on top above the front window. As the spray train rolled down the track the guy up on top would use the swivel nozzle to hit heavy brush with some extra poision. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any pictures.
Ron
Reading the post by John (referring to the fire tank cars) suggests a possible modification to my Big Hauler tank cars - I have four of them. I have had a mind to sell them or adapt them in some way and the fire cars are a great idea. I did spend quite a few hours of my firefighting service dealing with railroad embankments and woods fires caused by the local Heritage steam railway. It could be an embarrasement at times as I was also a volunteer on the railway.
A pity there was no camera but I am sure a web search will locate some pics. lol
I found some pics of the cars I saw.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/jebouck/train2158.jpg)
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/jebouck/train2162.jpg)
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/jebouck/train5022.jpg)
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/jebouck/train5028.jpg)
Thanks John for the photos. It does give something for me to consider.
Having a fictitious railroad then I guess modelers license can be employed. lol
It looks like the pumps are a self contained gas engine.
Youll need to remove the tank domes.
I’m thinking a couple flat cars, some PVC pipe, etc…
