On my model railroad, I’d like to run a special
train to deliver explosives to a mine. What was
prototype practice in the 1960s? (ship in wooden
boxcar? couple flat cars to each end? reduce
speed? etc)
Ray
According to a NYS&W timetable dated 1946, “Cars placaded “Explosives” may be placed in through freight trains near the middle of the train, and at least 16 car lengths from the engine, Diesel-electric locomotive or motor car, and at least 11 car lengths from the caboose, if the length of the train will permit”. Another paragraph states that “Cars placaded “Explosives” may be placed in local freight trains, not closer than 2-car lengths from the engine, diesel-electric locomotives, motor car or caboose. Conductors will notify engineers when explosives in train departing terminals or picked up on division”.
I hope that helps answering your question.
Ray, railroads have always charged through the roof for special trains and explosives would not warrant such a train. There are regulations as to where explosives are to be placed in a train, but they were generally placed in well maintained boxcars (cushion underframe in the 1960’s), with only a small amount in each car. I can recall a complaint from the Navy to the PRR in the 1960’s about showing “H-bombs” as the commodity on train consists, they wanted “Military impedimentia” shown, which was the catch-all when the armed services didn’t want the public to know what was being shipped.