.

[kjd]

I was in Kingman early last month but this was from a couple days earlier, near the Salton Sea. I was impressed at the lack of any vibrant color except the approaching stack train.

 

[gjslsffan]

Just catching up on this thread, some great modeling!
here is a frisco Athearn 40' trailer I modified, painted, decaled and weathered up a bit.

Then I just had to make some QA&P TOFC decals and put them on a Athearn RTR 40' trailer.

Made the mudflaps for these trailers with index card paper blackened with a majic marker and cut to size.

Here is a video I of my TOFC train.

Thanks for taking a look.

 

[NorthBrit]

The only picture I have that can contribute.
Seen on The Panama Canal Railway.

David

 

[D&J RailRoad]

I've had these files in the machine for a few years.
They are in PDF format so they don't show in the window here, but they are printable containers wraps.
Open them and they will be in HO scale ready to print. Use card stock so they are sturdy.

 

[Espeefan]

I dug mine out of a box, the brown car is a Walthers, no trailer & the red one is an Athearn model.
View attachment 144971
View attachment 144972View attachment 144973
View attachment 144974

I would make one suggestion. Pop the floor off of those Athearn shorty trailers and remove the forward axle. Trailers in that size range wouldn't be "dualies". They look better with a single axle too!

 

[Smudge617]

I've had these files in the machine for a few years.
They are in PDF format so they don't show in the window here, but they are printable containers wraps.
Open them and they will be in HO scale ready to print. Use card stock so they are sturdy.

Thank's for sharing, downloaded into my "for future use" folder

 

[gjslsffan]

A overhead view of part of the TOFC train (AKA the shooter) and the pig ramp. As always it needs more detail.

 

[gjslsffan]

Here we have a BN GP50L 3162, BN B30-7AB 4115, and ATSF SD40-2 5118 on the TOFC train going past the tower, and departing the yard. The L designation was for the longer cab, that was intended to accommodate 4- 5 man crews.

A few trailers,

I love those Campbell Express "HUMPIN to PLEASE" trailers.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

[santafewillie]

A container train waiting behind the main business drag until the manifest freight can get over on the siding behind it.

 

[skyliner]

Meant to contribute to this last week, but didn't get around to it in time. And suddenly it's a week later. Double stack inbound to San Antonio yard passing The Espee, a music venue in the former SP station.

And on the trailing end, an open container, one of the first I've seen in person.

 

[ctclibby]

Meant to contribute to this last week, but didn't get around to it in time. And suddenly it's a week later. Double stack inbound to San Antonio yard passing The Espee, a music venue in the former SP station.

And on the trailing end, an open container, one of the first I've seen in person.

Eric: Was that going by at speed? Wonder if *somebody* was in the container or it just popped open. It has been my experience with containers that they are almost impossible to open without 2 men and a boy. Sitting on the top would make it even harder. Go figure?

Later

 

[Smudge617]

Eric: Was that going by at speed? Wonder if *somebody* was in the container or it just popped open. It has been my experience with containers that they are almost impossible to open without 2 men and a boy. Sitting on the top would make it even harder. Go figure?

Later

As a container has two locking bars on each door it's unlikely it would open on it's own, more like someone broke in to steal what was inside while the train was stationary, when it moved away, they jumped off and left the door open.

 

[D&J RailRoad]

I think all those containers have a seal on the door latches as well. There have been places along the tracks around Los Angeles, CA were there is so much container contents discarded along the tracks, you can hardly see the rails.
Such wonderful people who pillage unguarded containers and the loss is paid through the insurance companies who in turn increase the premiums which in turn is paid for by the honest customers. In the meantime, these slugs of humanity sit at home watching their favorite TV shows with their kids on the big screen TV that they stole but they can't figure out why their life is so miserable.

 

[ctclibby]

I think all those containers have a seal on the door latches as well. There have been places along the tracks around Los Angeles, CA were there is so much container contents discarded along the tracks, you can hardly see the rails.
Such wonderful people who pillage unguarded containers and the loss is paid through the insurance companies who in turn increase the premiums which in turn is paid for by the honest customers. In the meantime, these slugs of humanity sit at home watching their favorite TV shows with their kids on the big screen TV that they stole but they can't figure out why their life is so miserable.

Ya, those seals are usually 'bolt' types made out of hardened steel about 3/8" diameter. It is tough getting them off even with the tools for the job ( 4ft bolt cutters, or a specific bolt cutter saw ). You don't just 'pull them off'. The saws are $spendy although I suppose if that was the case; probably stolen too. Kinda hard to hide the bolt cutters needed so walking into a rail yard or ? would at least sound bells and whistles to somebody I would think. When we had a load of drugs, there was also a hardened lock we would use; went around both of the latch bars closest to the door middle and there were multiple bolts on them. Needed acetylene to get those off. Something has got to change!

Later

 

[D&J RailRoad]

Ya, those seals are usually 'bolt' types made out of hardened steel about 3/8" diameter. It is tough getting them off even with the tools for the job ( 4ft bolt cutters, or a specific bolt cutter saw ). You don't just 'pull them off'. The saws are $spendy although I suppose if that was the case; probably stolen too. Kinda hard to hide the bolt cutters needed so walking into a rail yard or ? would at least sound bells and whistles to somebody I would think. When we had a load of drugs, there was also a hardened lock we would use; went around both of the latch bars closest to the door middle and there were multiple bolts on them. Needed acetylene to get those off. Something has got to change!

Later

A battery operated grinder will go through any lock you want to put on there.

 

[skyliner]

Eric: Was that going by at speed? Wonder if *somebody* was in the container or it just popped open. It has been my experience with containers that they are almost impossible to open without 2 men and a boy. Sitting on the top would make it even harder. Go figure?

Later

It was going by at moderate speed, maybe 30-40 mph at most. By the time the last car passed me, the head end was probably in or approaching the yard. My guess is that someone opened that container at some point when the train was stopped to see what was inside. I know bolt seals are becoming more common, and I think UP is requiring their use starting next year, but I thought some shippers still use wire or strip seals? Plus, even some bolt seals are easy to break; there's a video on youtube of how to snap one with just a hammer and screwdriver.

 

[boatwrench]

Looting Containers in Los Angeles's Lincoln Heights

 

[skyliner]

Double stacks over Donner! This was taken about five years ago, I found a hiking trail that crossed the Overland route near Emigrant Gap. After a little bit of waiting, a relatively short eastbound went by. You can see a couple other hikers watching the train. They are standing right where the trail crosses the tracks. I did find some interesting debris along the tracks, including rusty nails, spikes, and a glass telegraph insulator.

Here's the rear end. The train is about eight miles from the Summit and Tunnel No. 41. Growing up in the Bay Area, I remember seeing SP trains running along the line above Donner Lake during visits. Alas with the opening of the new summit tunnel, that portion of the line is no longer in use, although you can hike along it and thru the old snow sheds.

 

[skyliner]

I was in Missoula, MT a few years ago, watching a train roll east out of the yard when I noticed a set of shiny new KCSM well cars rolling past. Here's a couple images for anyone needing some detail:

 

[D&J RailRoad]

Nice, brand new, just outa the wrapper.