Why is it the buffer cars that seems to be the most commonly used on unit oil trains is the older airslide hopper cars on the BNSF and UP?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I think in some cases the buffer car is filled with sand.
But i think most of the time the rr just grabs whatever car is not going to be used
There has to be a "non Haz-Mat" car placed between locomotives, cabooses or any sort of occupied car and cars loaded with haz-mat. My guess the car is loaded with sand to help train geometry.
I've seen hoppers or boxcars used as buffers.
Rusty
So far the only cars I've seen have been hoppers and some older boxcars with them sometimes on the rear of the train too. I'm assuming for rear end collision protection.
I have seen the same arrangements,, hopper or boxcar. I thought the buffer car on each end was there for the return trip. Unhook the locomotive power and back down to the other end and hook back up.
When these trains are being sorted/built in yards, do switchers also have to have a buffer car between them?
Originally Posted by fredswain:
When these trains are being sorted/built in yards, do switchers also have to have a buffer car between them?
Unit trains are just that. From oil field to refinery as an entire train. Not even sure locomotives get changed out nowadays. I see a fair amount of NS power on oil trains rolling through on the BNSF.
Rusty
With the increase in unit oil trains, which seems to be here to stay, I wonder if a buffer car will be especially designed for this service as part of the train. Most of the cars being used now are approaching their forty year lifespan.
BNSF has taken their 50' AIRSLIDE fleet and hastily renumbered and lettered many of them for BUFFER CAR SERVICE ONLY. The stencils used are barely legible.
It looks like somebody quickly chose a long line of older freight cars sitting in their rail yard and stenciled them for buffer car service in a few hours.
Andrew
Well played sp2207. Your photo is perfect for the post and nice to look at as well .
