"Trash Train"

[chrismoore93]

Hello guys,
I want to go ahead and make a "Trash Train" run on my layout weekly once I get it up. I was curious to know if anyone knew of any models that would look good on a trash train. Should I be running special boxcars as I've seen, or TTX Flats with dumpsters???
Any help is appreciated,
Chris

 

[Joe Daddy]

I think some would say you achieve your goal if you run a consist of graffiti tagged box cars.

 

[IronBeltKen]

I can't suggest any particular models to use, but here's a few photos of a trash train on the CSX Camden branch at Relay, MD:

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e182/CSX_road_slug/proto_photos_2/CSX_5255_trash_train.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e182/CSX_road_slug/proto_photos_2/CSX_8763_trash_train.jpg

(You can see the Waste Management logo on the container in the closeup 2nd shot...)

 

[jbaakko]

They're not really dumpsters, but modified open top 40' containers.

 

[chrismoore93]

Thanks guys, any suggestions on how to approach modeling a trash train?
Chris

 

[jbaakko]

I'd say, find pics of the rear doors, then cut up some 40' ribbed side containers, add tarps, and put them on flat cars. I think it would be a good representation.

 

[CBCNSfan]

Here yuh! go Chris intermodal all the way 6 days a week.http://www.pacerfarm.org/d765/d765.htm

Some grubby Boxes on this one http://www.capecodrails.com/bclr_photos/040129p/index.shtml

and BNSF http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=194078

http://www.google.ca/search?q=trash+train&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&hs=FnF&start=10&sa=N

Chris from what I can find, it would seem the type of cars run in the train depends pretty much on what was negotiated in the contracts, loading and unloading terminals etc, so it doesn't seem you can go wrong if you have a means of loading and unloading the type of cars you use and have terminals at which to do it.

Willis

 

[chrismoore93]

Thanks for the info guys, but unortunately in Arizona there are no incinerators as it is a pollution probably. Therefore, would there be a reason for a trash train, or would it just be handled by truck.
I was thinking about industries filling the railroad "dumpsters" and having the train collect them, probably by forklift, put them on flats, then have them unloaded at a junkyard?
Chris

 

[CBCNSfan]

then have them unloaded at a junkyard?

Ah! Junk, that is a much different and at todays prices a valuable cargo. Chris, for Junk I'd use gondola cars on a siding and yes it could be trucked to a siding, loaded with loader, picked up by a local freight and taken to the rail yard for shipment elsewhere ( most likely a steel plant off layout). The gondola cars are usually pretty beaten up, rust and dents not hard to model at all.

Willis

 

[chrismoore93]

Well that sounds like what I was looking for Willis, a sort of junk/scrapyard. Off course, I still think a trash train might be possible the same way?
Chris

 

[sushob]

If you get the History Channel, keep an eye out for the show "Boneyard." They did an episode all about trains, including scrapping rail, rolling stock, and locomotives. They show a scrap yard and gondolas used for transport. Likewise, if you get the Discovery Channel, there is an episode of "Dirty Jobs" that involves loading a gondola with scrap metal. Both of those would give you some cool prototype shots.

 

[chrismoore93]

Hello Nate
Yes I have caught the episode of boneyard, however, I don't believe I have caught the dirty jobs episode.
Thanks for the help,
Chris