Prototype Railroading
Single autoracks in general freight
Sometimes I see general freight trains with single autoracks mixed in with the other cars. Why does this happen? Most autoracks are in unit trains, as auto receiving facilities are pretty big, so why are there loose autoracks? Are they usually just stragglers, set out for repairs?
Car floats
Didn't realize they got this big and came in self-propelled versions.
Good photo at cgrailway embedded link.
https://media.gwrr.com/press-releases/news-details/2021/CG-Railway-Launc...
Battery Powered Full Size Locomotive
https://newatlas.com/transport/world-first-battery-electric-locomotive-fuel-consumption-wabtec/
Rail technology company Wabtec has demonstrated an electric locomotive that could help lessen the environmental footprint of heavy-haul freight services. The company's battery-powered FLXdrive locomotive was used as part of a hybrid system over a three-month trial, where it reduced the fuel consumption of the entire vehicle by 11 percent.
Locomotive movement from rest
This topic is related to one I started yesterday about sound decoders, but I set it up separately in prototype discussion in case not too many people are interested in endlessly tweaking sound decoders.
The baseline question is can diesel electric locomotives move away from rest without changing the prime mover from idle?
"Kicking" freight cars (was "Launching...")
Since there is a lot of experience available within MRH forum I'll ask this here. What is the deal with switching cars by pushing them into a free rolling collision with the rest of the train?
I don't know how, or if this could be modeled, or even if such a thing would be wanted; but I have now seen GP locomotives "launching" freight cars in three different states of the union.
Is this legit? Legal? Widespread? Or were these guys taking big risks?
proto short lines
I have goggled "the shortest short line railroad in the U.S.." the dates on results go back to roughly 2007 to 2010 , there was even a previous post of mine "do short lines get enough modeling attention" I am still a huge short line railroad fan...(7 x 16 what choice do I have??) Anyways...there is some good info on short lines out there but Id like to ask does anybody have any more current info on short lines that have not been abosrbed by larger roads and if anybody has some nice photos of their own short line model railroads please share I am at a modeling block could
Tight turns
How tight of a real life turn is still workable?
I have no idea how to calculate what radius turn this would be when converted to various model railroad scales, but it looks more severe than an 18" in HO.
The Google image is along the mainline of the Stillwater Central Railroad near Wheatland, OK, now a WATCO shortline. The turnout leads to a few rail served small industries to the north, and some of the spurs to those leave at a 90 degree angle. Tank cars, boxcars, covered hoppers, and lumber racks make a weekly appearance.
prototypical question
How prototypical was a factory fresh modernized 40 foot box car, (no roof walks shorter ladders) ..Im not referring to an old owned railroad company modified box car but a fresh out of the factory forty footer no roof walk etc?
Rock salt as an industry
How common in the north east was Rock salt as a rail delivered commodity? era late 70's 80's? does anyone know if rock salt and sand came via rail premixed?
New Wetaskiwin, AB Grain Terminal
I noticed this unique new modelling opportunity the last time I landed my plane at home in the daylight - I usually arrive after dark.
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