Question for train geeks.

[N80]

On our morning walk we came across this massive train car. I've never seen one like it. Five sets of trucks on each end. Massive hydraulics on each end for lowering and raising the bed as well as moving it side-to-side for some reason. Big metal pads on the angled parts of the bed that indicate 'weld here'. Obviously for handling huge loads but I'm not sure exactly what. I've seen flat bed cars hauling Abrams tanks and huge dozers that were nowhere near this big or complicated.

Has big letters saying max speed loaded is 25mph, max speed empty is 45mph and "Do not hump" whatever that means.

Curious if anyone knows any specifics about it. Hooked in front of it there was a "Scale Test Car" which also said "Do Not Hump".

 

[steve tym]

I'm going with transformers.

 

[zzvyb6]

It's a Schnabel Car used for hauling VERY large transformers to electric power distribution centers needed by server and data farms. The "DO NOT HUMP" sign indicates it is not to be floated at a 'hump' yard where car sorting is done by free rolling them down a hill to various sidings used to build a train manifest.
You should see the semi-trailer needed to move these transformers to their final resting place. No more room for wheels.

 

[JJT]

See these all the time in Schenectady, NY - steam turbine and large generator transport.

 

[Runner]

Here is the Lionel version:

 

[bcp]

Data and photos.

kwux 200

Pictures of KWUX 200

Pictures of KWUX 200

www.rrpicturearchives.net

Bruce

 

[N80]

I wonder if those large pistons on each end are shock absorbers or lift pistons or leveling pistons or both.

Edit: According to the data @bcp posted those are lift pistons.

 

[N80]

Data and photos.

kwux 200

Pictures of KWUX 200

Pictures of KWUX 200

www.rrpicturearchives.net

Bruce

That's it! From the brief amount of searching I did it seems like there are not large numbers of these cars around. I wonder if the one that you linked to is the same one.

 

[bcp]

That's it! From the brief amount of searching I did it seems like there are not large numbers of these cars around. I wonder if the one that you linked to is the same one.

KWUX 200. Same number = same car.

Bruce

PS: The "X" on the end of a railcars owner initials (reporting marks) means it is not owned by a railroad.

List of reporting marks: A - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[N80]

KWUX 200. Same number = same car.

Bruce

PS: The "X" on the end of a railcars owner initials (reporting marks) means it is not owned by a railroad.

List of reporting marks: A - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Thanks.

I looked at one source that gave a list of active Schnabel cars in the US in 2015 and there were maybe 10 and some of those had "out of service" appended to them. So it seems they are quite rare.

https://ogrforum.com/topic/schnabel-cars-is-service-in-the-usa

This car does not seem to be on that list.

I'm not a train guy but this was very interesting to see. Wish I had taken more pictures.