'Cause the one in the picture is an MTY. [swg]
Helium is lighter than air but not by all that much. It would take 6 large (3 feet) helium balloons to just lift a 1 pound fish. When helium is compressed under high pressure it becomes heavy. This is why a large tank of it isn’t light. The US switched from hydrogen to helium for use in blimps and derigibles because it’s non-flammable. The Hindenburg utilized hydrogen because the US (the only source of helium at the point) wouldn’t sell any to Germany.
Um, and this is just a guess… It’s a red car… [:D]
This red Life Like car was initially offered as a track cleaning car, way back when, as others have already pointed out. However, subsequently it was also produced without the necessary track cleaning plumbing and pad and claimed to be some sort of maintainence of way car in the ads. Ulrich made a much better looking and more convincing variation of this car’s design.
CNJ831
SMART ***! [:P]
The car in question is a bulk compressed gas car, they were used before liquefaction of compressed gasses was introduced.
That explains why they’re not used anymore.
Considering that helium liquifies at a temperature only a bit warmer than negative 273 Celsius (aka absolute zero) don’t hold your breath waiting to see a liquid helium tank car!
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Jeffrey,
It looks like a track cleaning car with cleaning fluid to be carried in the tank. It is rather poorly disguised as a MOW car.
Mark
I wonder how big a blimp filled with helium would need to be to pick up your average freight car. [:-,] I’ve an idea: use blimps on your layout to move trees from where they are downed to the loading site.
Mark
When I was in Ft Worth in the early 1980’s I saw them come through occaisionally.
Chuck,
Are you a walking encyclopedia or what?
Mark
Do not hump-
[(-D]
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA
I know what it means but STILLLLL
It’s funny
Especially since it’s in ALL CAPS.
I know I’m horrible. [}:)]
I know. I was thinking the same thing.