I recently saw a pair of black flatcars with DODX (Department of Defence?) markings coupled together, and sporting 36000 series numbers with an “A” or “B” suffix (eg: 36007A, 36007B). Each car had what looks like a regular white refrigerated semi truck trailer, sans wheels, on it with small USN lettering (U.S. Navy?) in one corner. Also, the flatcar with the B suffix has some sort of generator attached to the deck of the car. Does anybody have an idea as to what type of service these cars are used? On occasion, I’ve seen similar cars with identical loads (white semi truck trailer without wheels and refrigerator unit on one end), only with the cars sporting D & RGW reporting marks.
According to UMLER, this is a two-unit articulated intermodal car.
So whatever trailers are on the flat car could change according to demands. I tried looking at its current status, but couldn’t come up with anything on the public trace, naturally (if the computer told me anything it would find some way to shoot me, I guess).
The cars didn’t look like they’re articulated, however I’ll have to take a closer look the next time I spot a pair of these cars in UP’s North Salt Lake yard. Thanks for the reply.
Has anybody seen those DODX 89 footers that are painted like trailer train’s? I have a photo of an entire train of them (along with ttx ones) loaded with tex & xtra 20’ containers (and to top it off, it was being pulled by 3 CP Rail SD-40-2’s, on the BNSF line through my town) i took a few years ago. Is this a new way to make them “low key”[;)]?
Articulated – part of the defination is that the cars can not be separated, either because they are riding on common trucks or because they are regular design cars permanetly connected with a drawbar.
Some munitions require refrigation when being transported if they get too old. The powder in them becomes unstable with excessive age.
Every day. In fact, I think the two container flats that ran away up here fit that bill, too.
Remember 15-20 years ago when there was an explosion in the turret or one of the gun tubes of one of the Iowa-class battleships that had been reactivated? Some sailors were killed and others injured, IIRC. Anyway, at the time there were allegations that the powder had been improperly stored during a refit, causing the explosion. The statement was made that the powder had been dumped on a barge and left out in the sun for an extended period. Don’t remember what was finally given as the actual cause of the explosion, or even if the allegation of improper powder storage was ever proved/disproved.
I Iowa Explosions was caused by a bag that had not enough trim pellets in the Bag and also a hot spot in the gun. Bag was over rammed into the tube hit the hot spot and BOOM.
The DOD flatcars you have seen come out of Hill AFB I think. At least that is where I have seen them. Not sure I know what is in them. You can make your own guess.
Has anyone checked those white truck trailers for shackles?[:O]
Thanks for the info.
What exactly is a "trim pellet’?