Anyone looking for an excuse to add gondolas to trains check out this idea: The state of Wisconsin is building a new highway through a section of our town. In cutting the right of way, they have turned up quite a few large boulders (5'+ in dia). THese are placed on dump trucks, and dumped next to the yard tracks in town. The Wisconsin Central (ok CN) has parked a bunch of old beat up gondolas. A crane loads the boulders into the gons. When the whole set of gons are filled, they p/u the gons and move them. It's really simple, take a team track, place a bunch of large boulders, park a couple of gons, and bingo, instant industry. BTW, we also see the same thing happening around here with cut down trees. Bulkhead flats and a logging crane and a stack of tree trunks are another shipper for your railroad. If I can, I will get the church digital camera, and take some pictures of both "industries." But I think you all get the idea. -------------------- Jeff Augsburg & Concord R.R. (a fictional shortline in Central Illinois) http://www.pegnsean.net/~revnjeff
I get the idea, but still would like to see some pictures if possible. By the way, that is a good idea. [ 29. May 2003, 00:33: Message edited by: Telegrapher ]
Jeff- If you can, it would be interesting to see the pictures. Also, I am wondering what the end use is for these boulders? Do you know? Are they used as fill somewhere? Or adapted to some practical retail purpose? Boxcab E50
Weather permitting, I will get photos tomorrow or Friday. The end use is unknown. One thing I heard was they crush these rocks and use it for gravel and rip rap. I also suspect that they are used for decorative purposes. Several places around here have them out front. Stay tuned for pics. Jeff Augsburg & Concord R.R. (a fictional shortline in Central Illinois) http://www.pegnsean.net/~revnjeff
Nice day today, and I managed to get a couple pictures And here are the logs ready for loading: edited to add:: I have learned that CN has bought the boulders from the excavating company from 4 different work sites in the area, to crush and use for ballast. These tracks are located right in the Yard in Rhinelander, and the track the gons are on is actually a lead into the remaining stall of the roundhouse. Jeff Augsburg & Concord R.R. (a fictional shortline in Central Illinois) http://www.pegnsean.net/~revnjeff [ 30. May 2003, 03:37: Message edited by: RevnJeff ]
