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After reading the questions about tank car lengths another question that I have had for along time came to mind. The draw bars that tank cars use is a different shape from other freight cars. Can someone let me know why this is so, what is the purpose for this design? Cheers
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| 06/22/2012 3:27pm |
RE: tank car draw bar shape |
Nick Knight |
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Hi Steven
The coupler I am referring to is like that on ACFX 71782 (see picture). This picture shows the coupler I am referring to. Perhaps this is the 'shelf' type you mention? I am curious to why one freight type has a distinct shaped coupler now, compared to those built in the past. If you can tell me why the different shape is necessary that would be great. I am guessing this design is obviously required as a standard item the meets some specific regulations. Thanks
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Others can quote you the coupler type and what regulations require it better than I. The shelf coupler has the alignment advantages of a tightlock type coupler without having the pointy thingies. Also in the same rules requiring those couplers improvements in sheilding the end of the car was required. Often a heavy end shield was often added to older tanks and some equivant engineered into new ones. I personally have a picture of a tank car supported at one end entirely by the adjacent tank car by coupler as it's own truck was knocked out of position.
As many tanks have contents you don't want unleased on the public or much less in your drinking water I condon such standards.
See 'Haz-Mat', placards, fireman training etc, etc.
Railfans who hang around Pepper Ave at W Colton (CA) yard can probably tell you more stories of work done in the GATX maint plant there.
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| 06/23/2012 3:32am |
RE: tank car draw bar shape |
Carl Shaver |
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Nick, the entire point of these couplers is to prevent cars from coming apart (in wrecks, usually) by being able to pass vertically. If you have dummy couplers on your HO equipment you will understand this. The coupler's two shelves will prevent excessive vertical movement between the couplers. Without that, the couplers could become separated in a catastrophe, and the coupler of an adjacent car could penetrate the tank, leading to Goodness-knows-what-all.
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| 06/23/2012 4:51pm |
RE: tank car draw bar shape |
Nick Knight |
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Thanks for that. I thought that might be the case. This would also explain the fact that I notice in a lot of videos that tanks are normally set up in groups if they derail they can support each other to a certain extent. I don't live in the US or Canada and I must say it is amazing to see the types of chemicals you ship in tank cars. Here in New Zealand tank cars are practically gone. All chemicals are now shipped in container tanks that can be transported in an intermodal form. Cheers.
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