Can someone explain to me what an unloading rack is used for around a diesel fueling platform?
The reason for asking is that I’m trying to finishing up the Walthers Diesel Fueling Facility for my layout. From the pictures on the box, it appears that the unloading rack is situated right next to the diesel fuel storage tank. Other than the name, the kit directions don’t give any further explanation about the unloading rack or what it does. I’m assuming it has something to do with filling up the diesel fuel storage tank?
Anyhow, thank for your replies. I love learning about this stuff…[:)]
“The new Diesel Fueling Facility is an authentic addition to any scene and includes everything to complete a two-track fueling facility; storage tank, fuel crane, water crane, pump house and top unloading rack (for unloading diesel fuel from tank cars). For modern era modelers, environmental track “pans” to catch fuel and oil spills are also included.”
From here: http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-2908
Thanks, Gary! [:)] My next question: How is it used specifically for unloading the diesel fuel from the tanker? It isn’t intuitive to me just looking at it.
the tank car is pumped (or aired) off of the tanker to stationary fuel tanks located next to the track (some can be underground) …it’s then pumped to the locomotive’s fuel tank from the stationary tank…sort of like when a tanker pulls into a gas station and fuels the big tanks and then you pump the fuel to your car from the gas station’s tanks…chuck
That tower behind the red pickup truck in the picture is the top unloading rack. The hose is attached to the tank car and fuel oil is pumped out into the storage tank. To fuel the engine, the fuel is pumped out of the storage tank and to the fuel crane that has a hose with matching connection for the engine fuel tank.
Look at this picture: http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-2908
In Walthers picture, there is the ‘pump house’ just in front of the engine. To the right is the ‘fuel crane’. Across the track is the ‘oil storage tank’ and the ‘water crane’. To the rear is the ‘top unloading rack’.
In a previous life I worked in the fuel distribution business for a local fuel distributor. The term “rack” is an industry term used to describe the piping and valve equipment used in the loading and unloading of tank trucks as well as tank cars. For example, when I used to draw from a local refinery I was told pull up to Rack # x to get my load. This is also where the term “rack price” comes from if you have ever heard that. It is the price per gallon of fuel less all taxes which the distributor pays.
The local yard in my area does not have a fuel rack for its engines. Instead, the yard master calls the fuel distributor and has the fuel delivered right to the engine as they need it. Durring my 2 year tenure as a driver I refueled engines at least once per week.
Here’s what I’m trying to understand. The unloading rack on the kit swivels, and I’m assuming for a particular reason. Is the unloading rack merely an “interface” and “conduit” between the tanker and the diesel storage tank? I also assume the pump house involved in this process.
Okay, it appears then that you would need a hose coming from the tanker and attached on one side of the unloading rack. Is a hose attached to the other side of the rack then the diesel fuel pumped into the storage tank? Or, once the diesel fuel enters the rack, it is pumped into the ground, and the other end of the rack is unused? (Am I making sense?)
If the latter is true, then feasibly you should be able to pump out up to four tankers at the same time. Am I getting close, or am I way off base here?
Sorry, I guess I’m looking for a blow-by-blow here. Thanks for your patience…[:)]
You are correct. The unloading top rack ‘swivels’ over the dome of the tank car and a hose pumps out the fuel. Depending on the layout, it may be gravity or a pump is needed to pump the product into the storage tank. I remember seeing a bulk fuel dealer on the M&StL that had a siding about 50’ above his storage tanks. Piping ran down the hill from the top fuel rack, and they just started a siphon to get the product moving, gravity did the rest!