PASSING TRAINS PT 38; SDN40 PT 1

ET44AC 517 takes on a new crew, as the old crew gets into a truck to head off the clock and rest.
 

New crew on board, 517 gets revved up to continue its journey to New York City, with SDN40.

Joining 517 is frequent companion 528; they are seen together more often than not. (5-17 and 5-28 are my parent's birthdays.)

The third engine is ex-Santa Fe Dash 9 BNSF 660, whose 30-year griminess contrasts sharply with the two brand new ET44's. While BNSF had 20 of its Dash 9's rebuilt into AC units in 2015, further conversions have not been made, unlike with NS, which has had dozens of its Dash 9's rebuilt into AC machines over the past several years. Thus, not only does 660 still carry its as-delivered Santa Fe number, but also its original DC equipment. However, it still does its job of moving freight, as it is doing here, helping move SDN40 eastwards to New York City.

DTTX 655215 is the first car of SDN40. A 53' well car like most of the others in the train, this Thrall-built single well car carries both a standard orange Schneider container, and a rare white Optimodal container.

The second car, DTTX 54041, is another Thrall single well car, but one unlike any other. A 48' well car, it is one of 75 members of TTX's TWF10 class of well cars. Unlike conventional railcars, the TWF10's are supported by leaf springs on the sides of the car ends instead of the center plate. The springs rest on the side frames of specially designed trucks, providing a smooth, stable ride. Note the bottom container is 40'. At least it is orange!

Another look at DTTX 54041. Built in 1991 at Chicago Heights, Ill. (coincidentally, also the location of a Ford Stamping plant), the TWF10's use Waggon Union bogies, which have a very short wheelbase -and no springs; thus the use of leaf springs on the car itself. Note the appearance of the ends, as compared to the conventional cars on either side of it; the TWF10's are nicknamed "battleships" due to their appearance. Unfortunately, the unique design was not repeated, as conventional cars are much easier to maintain. Also, because of this, these cars are slowly being retired instead of being rebuilt, like their other 48' brethren; they would actually have to be re-engineered due to the unique load-bearing design of the ends.

More of SDN40 to come next week.