http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=31098
Does anyone know what this car is use for?[%-)]
It is a maintenance of way car used to haul prefabricated switches. The bed of the car is tilted for to keep the load within clearances.
Is the railside apron used to load/unload/slip into place the assembly?
The panel on top can flip to either side…this is done before loading, based on which side the panel needs to be unloaded from, and can, in some instances, be done on site after delivery of the panel.
Note all of the blow through holes in the top panel where welders have cut access holes for tie downs and such.
The apron is there to prevent the panel from snagging or getting hung up on the car body when unloading…I have seen a panel being dragged off of one of these with a back hoe and a bulldozer…not the most elegant way to un load one…a crane works much better.
Thanks for the information.[bow]