Hi folks, I have accumulated several AC 68ft flat car kits and GHQ tanks. How did they lash the m1 tanks down to the deck? Were they one to a car or two to the car? How many cars were found in a lash up? Were they sent by privat rail (up,ns,bnsf) or by an army train? Alan what decal sheets did you use to get the lettering for the cars?
Check ou this earlier thread http://www.trainboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=001461 Russ [ 12 February 2002, 05:16: Message edited by: tehachapifan ]
I don't think M1A2 tanks can be carried on 89ft flatcars, they need the 6-axle heavy duty flats. Lighter armoured vehicles, etc. can be on 89 footers.
Let's see now. As everyone else has said, tanks (of all kinds) go on the DODX flats. Even the old M60 series was 55 tons apiece, and the M1's are 62 tons and up. Lighter vehicles like Bradleys and armored personnel carriers go on 60' flats, either TTX or railroad, with tie down channels in the deck. These cars are also used for hauling agricultural equipment (combines, tractors) and construction vehicles (bulldozers, graders). I've never seen or used 86' or 89' flats. Small vehicles (like jeeps and HMMWV's) are transported in autoracks. Note, though, that most military trucks are too wide to fit, so they end up riding on flats. The locomotives which the Army owns are, as far as my experience shows, used only as switchers, probably to keep costs down by not requiring road certified crews. Also, the Army would probably be stretched trying to meet required crew changes between, say, Ft Carson Colorado and Ft Irwin California. As far as who pulls the trains, I believe (again that word - guess I don't know as much as I thought) that contracts are let out based on bids received, as I've seen both UP and BNSF pulling them. BTW, if anyone's interested in the "book method" of tying down tanks, e-mail me and I can scan and send the appropriate diagrams. Hope some of this helps.
Eagle 2 I would love to get a copy or a scan of the book method of tying down the tanks. Please send them to me at Sonta@home.com. hopefully it will get to me before comcast pulls the server. My current plan is to have two flat cars with two tanks each. (6 axle hd flat car) and one with one tank in the center. The remaining flat car will be loaded with three 20ft iso containers. This should round out my military consist.
