ATN got 2 flats with 4 generators on them for a dam in Guntersville, but they arrived on 4 axled cars, so the weight could not go over several bridges on the way up there on these cars. They were placed in this siding in Gadsden and lifted off onto heavy duty low boy trucks and trucked up to Guntersville. Pretty good loss of money for the railroad.
Loss of Revenue Seems like that engineering or someone at the shipper would have known this? I thought computers kept this type of thing from happening.
From what I understand, when it was entered...QTTX came back as a center depressed flat with double 4 axles. Thinking it was 'double 4 axles' on each end, which would have spread the load over a larger area, they were OKed. When they got to the yard, the error was discovered, and the decision was made to not pull them over the bridges.
Has the shipper ever sent out this type of load? If so, I'd think they might have known a little more.... What did they do? Just grab the any car available? Too bad ATN can't send them a bill! Or at least growl at them, loudly. :tb-wacky: Boxcab E50
Ouch! I smell a customer who might not bother with the railroad next time. Always a bad thing when your competitor has to bail you out for a mistake.
I dont know all the facts, just that while working the Guntersville local a couple weeks ago, a guy flags the train down and I stop. He says he is from some shipping company and two flats will be here in a couple weeks with the transformers. He then asked if I had a number for someone at our railroad he could talk to about getting them up to a little used siding for unloading. Almost like they started them on the way before getting all the facts and info first. LOL
We are supposed to start getting a total of 5 transformers shipped to us from Canada over a period of 2 years for a major powerline project. Estimated weight is supposed to be about 455,000 lbs total with the weight of the 8-axle car. Jerry, was the total weight of the transformers and the car over 286K? Some bridges not rated high enough for 286k cars?
The maximum tonnage on three of the bridges going to Guntersville is 132 tons. They are in the process of working on them. One drops 4 inches when the train goes over it. I am glad they are finally working on them.
Ouch. What kind of bridge construction? Pilings? Sinking due to? Bad caps? Piles? At the sills? Or? Boxcab E50
Timber bridges tend to sink and "warp" as they age. Wood absorbs and holds moisture especially on covered areas, behind head walls and underneath stringers. As they years go by they slowly become more flexible and begin to rot which will lead to permanent sagging. I believe the federal requirement is for railroads to have bridges inspected every 2 years. Atleast we do here. I don't have much experience with steel/concrete bridges so I'll lleave that for someone else to comment on.
You got it Pat.....these have been inspected, but nothing done about the condition. This year, Osmose refused to sign off on a few of them, and the repairs finally started. I read a report with the President of the company when I was the DSLE that said "These bridges can collapes at any time." That was in 2005. Speed was reduced to 10mph over the worst of them. Now, finally, in 2010, Thanks to Osmose, they are getting much needed attention.
If you look at this picture, look at the wood running along the top under the ballasted deck. You can see how it is sinking and uneven. Another reason I decided to take a break and get pictures instead of sit in there. (Really thought I might get a picture of a collapsing bridge! LOL)
The line was completed in 1893 to Gadsden. (Originally the NC&StL, then the L&N, Family Lines, CSX, and now ATN.) Looking at it, I would guess it is at least 50 yrs old, but thats a guess. Track inspector thinks its older then that. I have tried looking up info on it and come up empty.
I've never heard it...but I have felt it lean to the side after a good rain, which is very unsettling.
