Gee, TANKS!

[NC&StL]

The former yard at Republic Steel in Gadsden, AL, now used as an overflow yard by N S.

 

[ICG/SOU]

Are those ethanol cars?

 

[UP2CSX]

Sure look like ethanol cars. I'm more interested in the yard trackage and how the grass and weeds have grown up. Just enough to make the yard tracks look under used but not abandoned. That would be a challenge to get right.

 

[jbaakko]

GATX, I'd think they are Ethonal tanks...

 

[macjet]

Somewhat related:

Why do tankers have different couplers? They appear to have a "thumb" on top of the coupler.

Jacob

 

[NC&StL]

I am going back this weeekend to take more shots, I will try to get close ups of the cars and features.

 

[UP2CSX]

It's called a shelf coupler. In the event of a derailment, it's less likely that one car will pull the others off the track with them. They are used on all rolling stock that does or could carry hazardous materials.

 

[macjet]

It's called a shelf coupler. In the event of a derailment, it's less likely that one car will pull the others off the track with them. They are used on all rolling stock that does or could carry hazardous materials.

Makes sense. Thanks!

 

[hamltnblue]

I'm more interested in the wood structure in the background, top left. What is it?

 

[up dallas sub]

Somewhat related:

Why do tankers have different couplers? They appear to have a "thumb" on top of the coupler.

Jacob

they're shelf couplers and are mostly on tank cars only and are required by the fra on every tank car. their purpose is so that when a train derails, the couple from the next car wont ride up and puncture the tank car. proven to be effective hundresds if not thousands of times

 

[35tac]

What is it?

I'm more interested in the wood structure in the background, top left. What is it?

I might guess it's an old coal tipple. Looks more interesting than the tank cars.
Wayne

 

[NC&StL]

Here is a few more pictures for you that have shown interest.

 

[cv_acr]

Sure look like ethanol cars. I'm more interested in the yard trackage and how the grass and weeds have grown up. Just enough to make the yard tracks look under used but not abandoned. That would be a challenge to get right.

Actually they look like LPG/Propane tank cars, not Ethanol.

 

[MGWSY]

It's called a shelf coupler. In the event of a derailment, it's less likely that one car will pull the others off the track with them. They are used on all rolling stock that does or could carry hazardous materials.

Here is a lower shelf coupler doing its thing.