NS Bottle Train         
NS #5114's northbound bottle train passes through Calumet Junction and enters IHB's Michigan Ave. Yard.
Date: 5/20/2007 Location: East Chicago, IN   Map Show East Chicago on a rail map Views: 345 Collection Of:   Mike Rapchak Jr.
Locomotives: NS 5114(GP38-2)    Author:  Mike Rapchak Jr.
NS Bottle Train
Picture Categories: This picture is part of album:  East Chicago IN
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User Comments
Name Type Comments Date
Ron Moraca General Nice picture, Mike. I know that IHB, etc., uses these gons as idlers between the loaded hot-metal cars, but why? Is it too dangerous to couple them together? Can they BE coupled together? Here's wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and prosperous New Year, fellow railfan! 12/24/2007 6:00:58 PM
Mike Rapchak Jr. General Many thanks, Ron - and the same to you and yours! The reason for the gons is weight distribution. Those bottle cars weigh something like 4-500,000 lbs. loaded - a lot of weight when crossing bridges, etc. And although many modern locomotives weigh the same, imagine if there were derailment/tip-over with these loaded cars! 12/24/2007 7:12:55 PM
Mike Rapchak Jr. General Correction: Loaded weight of some bottle cars is over 700,000 lbs. 10/28/2008 4:22:25 PM

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