http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=42998
I never seen this type of helper. Can you guy’s help me out?
If I’m not mistaken it’s a power unit (a locomotive) for a rail grinding train.
It’s apparently the entire train–there are grinding wheels under the center part (covered to cut down on the flying sparks and metal filings). I don’t know when a railroad would use one of these as opposed to the full train of three or four grinding units, a tank car or two, and a locomotive.
It’s a 10-40 stone grinder (mini-grinder) used on switches, crossovers and road crossings where the bigger units (120 stones and up) are not supposed to go.
The Fairmont side of Harsco builds them, the Pandrol-Jackson side of Harsco operates them. (I saw something about DOJ contesting the Harsco monopoly by merger, but never heard the outcome.)
Thanks!
It’s an interesting unit for sure. Not a helper though. But an interesting unit.