I thought maybe an RDC but most the photos I can find have a big clunky hopper right next to the truck. http://rr-fallenflags.org/nyc/nyc-rdc53s.jpg
It certainly looks like an RDC Truck with the mini "pilot" bolted on it. However I am confused by the flat looking stainless corrugations on the car side. Did Budd offer different styles?
I'm looking at the unpowered axle. No traction motor. (Even if somehow geared.) It's obviously a very light powered rail vehicle. But I don't know if it's an RDC. Seems like it would be something else. Boxcab E50
The RDCs had only one axle on each truck powered. The inside axle had a hydraulic torque converter similar to those found on an army tank that was supplied fluid from a pump on a diesel engine. There were two diesels each driving only one axle. This looks to be an outside axle. In this photo you can see what appears to be the mystery object right behind the step well in front of the truck. http://rr-fallenflags.org/mncr/mncr-rdc53as.jpg
Well, that view does seem similar. Could be the photo angle- But the truck sideframes are different, the siding is different, and the position of the sand box seems more outboard. Perhaps I need more pictures of RDC units? Boxcab E50
The sideframe looks the same. Note how closely mounted the sand box appears to the truck. And that it also appears to have a short distance to the front of the RDC. Whereas the one Peirce has posted seems to have a larger open space. It is probably an RDC. As thinking on it now, I seem to recall they have at least one at Danbury. Boxcab E50
Evidently there were several different option offered by Budd. Different trucks, different style of sanders, different siding and of course, different floor plan configuratons. If there was no vestibule and step box on one end, maybe the sand hopper did not have to be wedged so close to the truck?
Ahh, no vestibule on that end. So the close up photo was of a sander on the non vestbule end where it was not wedged between the truck and steps?
Boxcab, Are you sure you are looking at the same unit? The date on you picture is the year 2000. The unit in picture arrived in Danbury only a few weeks ago. Here is the full shot of the unit used in this exercise.
Peirce- Yes. His photo is dated 2000. But on his web site, he also notes the recent arrival of it, (meaning 2005), at Danbury. Boxcab E50
Hmmmm. Painted silver. Doesn't seem as though it would be on a steam engine. More likely a diesel, or passenger equipment? Boxcab E50
I believe it was on a passenger car but could also be found on a freight car. Maybe even a steam locomotive tender but I am not sure.
