T8 Lights loosing their brightness?

[ArlyA]

Most people refer to coal cars as hopper cars.

There real name is extended gondolas since they are higher than normal gondola cars but I'm not sure I care, what people call them. They were built for low density bulk cargo like coal. LED lights?

 

[MossRoad]

I spent a few years in the RR car repair industry and most most of my time was spend working on extended side Gondola cars. I'll attach a photo of one. In fact, I worked on this companies cars, much of the time. Who owns these??

Detroit Edison?

If so, how fitting!

 

[MossRoad]

Railroad reporting marks | Trains Magazine

 

[ArlyA]

Detroit Edison?

If so, how fitting!

I knew you guys could figure it out. Detroit Edison owns quite a few RR cars, many trains worth, and funny thing, they never are seen in the state of Michigan. Why not?

 

[dragoneggs]

Hey guys, get a room... or maybe start a new thread! :laughing:

 

[MossRoad]

I knew you guys could figure it out. Detroit Edison owns quite a few RR cars, many trains worth, and funny thing, they never are seen in the state of Michigan. Why not?

There's no large coal mines in Michigan, so I'd guess the cars are out between Michigan and Appalachia?

 

[MossRoad]

Hey guys, get a room... or maybe start a new thread! :laughing:

You can't talk about electricity generation without talking about coal, trains, Thomas Edison, baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet... :laughing:

 

[ArlyA]

There's no large coal mines in Michigan, so I'd guess the cars are out between Michigan and Appalachia?

Its powder basin coal from ND WY and MT that those DEEX cars haul it to Superior Wisconsin to the Midwest coal terminal which I believe is the largest coal handling dock in the world. Gee whiz, they use D9 cat's there.

https://www.newlook.dteenergy.com/w.../dte-pages/merc/terminal-information-activity

copied from there site.

With large-capacity storage and access to low-cost bulk transportation, the Superior Midwest Energy Terminal accommodates a range of coal transshipment needs throughout the Great Lakes region. Of course there are many cars that haul to there, not just Detroit Edison trains.

MCT Capabilities

Storage for eight coal types in large volumes with the capability of storing more in the future
Blending of up to three dissimilar quality coals during the vessel loading process
5,000 TPH maximum unit train unloading rate (rotary coupler cars)
11,500 TPH maximum vessel loading rate
Routinely accommodate vessels of up to 1,000' length and two 123-car unit trains

Do note guys, coal fired electricity production has been going down since 2008.

 

[ArlyA]

Here is a GREAT video of a boat waiting in the harbor at the MCT dock, before he loads. You can clearly see him using his bow thruster!! This is in St Louis river he is waiting in so there boats if being held still in its current. The boat he waiting on is a 1000ft long.

Great Lakes Sailing - Loading at Superior WI, HD time-lapse - YouTube

https://www.newlook.dteenergy.com/w.../dte-pages/merc/terminal-information-activity

copied from there site.

With large-capacity storage and access to low-cost bulk transportation, the Superior Midwest Energy Terminal accommodates a range of coal transshipment needs throughout the Great Lakes region. Of course there are many cars that haul to there, not just Detroit Edison trains.

MCT Capabilities

Storage for eight coal types in large volumes with the capability of storing more in the future
Blending of up to three dissimilar quality coals during the vessel loading process
5,000 TPH maximum unit train unloading rate (rotary coupler cars)
11,500 TPH maximum vessel loading rate
Routinely accommodate vessels of up to 1,000' length and two 123-car unit trains

 

[quicksandfarmer]

My father got me into the habit of counting the number of engines and train cars while sitting at crossings. Still do it to this day.

Hold on. You're saying everyone doesn't do that?