What does the Red "W" stand for? I placed this question forth in "The Ready Track" forum but have had no responses. Perhaps someone in the N scale forum can shed some light on the Answer! http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=97800 I appreciate all responses! Thanks! Hobo Tim
I would guess it has something to do with the type of welds on the tank vessel as related to which class of hazardous material the car is rated to carry.
Could it be that they acquired some tank cars , added their reporting marks , but the numbers conflicted with existing cars they had , so they added a W to the end of the numbers . This way existing records of the car can be continued till they get around to assigning new numbers ? http://www.garethbayer.co.uk/images/rsgallery/original/MBLX28333GB_220902.jpg
Answer Found! Today I got the answer to the Red "W" Question!! The Red "W" means their is a Pyrophoric in the Tank Car! What is a Pyrophoric you ask? Well, it's a very nasty chemical which requires a 100% Nitrogen atmosphere to exist. Expose it to the atmosphere and the humidity in the air will ignite it with extreme violence!!! How does Big Bang sound? Ok, question answered!!! Thanks for your viewing and input!! Hobo Tim
So then the W stands for WOW , WOOMP , WATCH OUT , WOOOSH , WICKEDBAD , WARNING , WELL THERES YOUR PROBLEM , ............
Yep, free oxygen from air, plus easily unbound oxygen and hydrogen from water, and boom! You're basically talking rocket fuel, like red nitric fuming acid. Or lithium for batteries. Or lots of other compounds that I've forgotten.
That means West on my compass.....I presume you aren't talking about a compass. All kidding aside....here is a picture of a unit that I think you are talking about. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=224963 The "W" stands for "Welded". Here is a longer description...I think you will find your answer here. http://www.henrycoema.org/forms/RailRoad%20Tank%20Car%20Marking%20System.pdf
John, That PDF relates to the ARR designation, not the road number. The scary thing is the car you found a picture of, marked with a W, that is suposed to be carrying some pretty hazzardous stuff as noted above....is DENTED!
Tony, Yes!! I saw that. As for the ARR markings, one can extrapolate the meaning of the "W" from that...nothing more. I did notice that the ARR classification of T108 specifically mentioned "welded"...that's another minor clue. I would think that an Exxon manual would have the only true answer. I don't know of any required standardization of car running number. Certainly, anything that Exxon wanted to put on these would be fine I assume. A hazardous chemical notice would be a better guide. And talk about tank cars, the new Micro-Trains 3 dome tank cars are GORGEOUS!!!!
That is a matter of perspective. Actually that is _good_ news It was dented but not punctured. It didn't blow up!
