Came across this unit in Tehachapi yesterday (02/08/04). Harsco Track Technology. A former F40. Although, I guess it is still an F40 just ultra "detailed"
I am not sure Boxcab, there was one (F40) at both ends of this train...at the other end was the crew quarters, 2 former passenger cars.
That's a rail grinder consist isnt it? I got some pics of a similar loco and train made by HTT from about a year back on Donner Pass. I'd get the pics up if I had a scanner. I don't seem to recall the loco on the one I saw looking much of anything like an F40-- but the similar- B-B units on both ends were the motive power, which is probably the case on those too... Thos grinder trains are fascinating hellish looking machinery. Too bad I didn't see it in action , though i think they were having problems with it and I got to chase it back and forth up and down the foothils a couple times
Great pics! I thought the stuff on the front was a brush guard I can say I've not seen anything like that before! Harold
Thanks Harold, the equipment on the front end of each loco, almost looks like firefighting apparatus.
Definitely firefighting equipement. Take a look at the aussi-equivalent photos in another thread... http://www.trainboard.com/ultimatebb.php/ubb/get_topic/f/58/t/000111.html
Thanks Derek, that makes sense now, especially in these dry and arid climates of Southern California.
You beat me to the conclusion that the equipment on the front "porch" is for fire fighting. It would seem logical. Your additional pix also would lead to that conclusion.
I saw one of these trains working outside of San Antonio, Texas last year. What a sight. I guess they must start a lot of grass fires with all the sparks from the grinding so they have guys on the lookout to hose any fires that might pop up.
Those stakes along the tank car are for holding used grinding disks. I guess they don't leave anything behind but a new rail surface and a lot of dust.
