This reload facility (train to truck) has been operating for at least 10 years. A couple of months back they came in and added this structure and I can’t see what it is supposed to do. I have been unable to contact anyone there to ask.
So, what are the ideas?
If you mean the green and yellow frame, it looks to me like a crane on a beam for loading and unloaded those center-beam cars. There are 2 inside at the moment.
I see cable of some sort from the cars to the beam
Some sort of beam with a sun/rain cover 
I think it’s for un-cabling the center beam flat loads.
Rail for safety harnesses? Overhead crane (don’t see and moving lift part). Just my .02 worth of guesses.
I don’t think it is any kind of gantry crane as the center beam seems much to light for the span and there is no evidence of operating crane parts.
They are still using forklifts to transfer the loads.
Rooster,
I’m not sure what you mean by being “used for un-cabling” They have done well without this structure for 10 years or more so why would a small short line invest this kind of money unless it was/is an OSHA safety requirement of some kind.
My tuppence:
Too long to be a single piece of steel down the center, so I am guessing it is two or more welded together, not bolted joints.
There is no means for side to side travel so I doubt it is an overhead gantry crane.
There is no lifting mechanism showing in the photo for lifting, and as has been mentioned, it looks a bit light for that purpose, although without some dimensional reference, who knows.
A safety attachment for workers securing/un-securing loads
I am not sure what it might be, but it also may not be complete yet either.
Interesting structure.
And the cable attachment looks to be able to roll along the beam
It’s fall protection for the workers unhooking the cables from the centerbeam flats. Pretty common, well I guess actually required fall protection set ups for folks climbing on top of rail cars. It’s an OHSA thing. Not sure how they got around it for so long.
To explain Roosters point more clearly, the cables on the centerbeam flats are anchored on the top chord individually. There’s pockets up there that they clip into and must be manually released and reattached when empty.
I saw these all the time working industries at BetterNotStartaFamily.
Craig,
Thanks for the input, that seems the most likely explanation.
If it were me, I would just drive up to the facility, or guard gate and tell them I’m a model railroader and just wondering how the operation works here. If the guy, or gal at the gate is not a total AH, in most cases you will probably learn more from them as soon as they see you are not there to cause a problem. Also being and old guy opens the door in many cases. good luck
Looks like the I-beam and framework for a stationary traveling crane. A hoist would move back and forth along the I-beam.
