Bread&steel
Member
Does anyone know if bathtub gondolas are ever used to carry scrap metal.
Larry
Larry
Of all the years of Railfanning. None that I have seen. Yet.Does anyone know if bathtub gondolas are ever used to carry scrap metal.
Larry
Yes.
However the ones carrying scrap will never see coal again. I've seen photos of a few 2nd (maybe 3rd) hand owners using them in scrap service.
I've seen around 2/3 - 3/4 in the photos I've seen. They have 100T trucks and scrap in lower side gondola's peaks around 65T IIRC.
It must be noted, that the common style hauling scrap is of the http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=4249 style with sloped ends such as those made by Atlas and Intermountain. The more modern incarnation, aluminum built, straight end Coalporter style like Athearn and Walthers make (as well as LBF; soon to come to Atlas Trainman) are not yet seen in scrap service, but I'm sure a day will come, thought I think the aluminum sides might be far to weak.
The reason to believe the car can go to at least 3/4 height loads is evident when looking at high side gondolas, which are commonly loaded with scrap to the top, and they ride on 100T trucks as well.