What is the coal car on a train called?
A tender or coal-car is a special rail vehicle hauled by a steam locomotive containing its fuel (wood, coal, or oil) and water.
Do trains still carry coal?
Rail coal volumes have fallen in recent years, but coal is still a crucial commodity for U.S. freight railroads and the larger economy. In 2020: U.S. railroads moved 3.0 million carloads of coal, with each rail car carrying enough coal to power 19 homes for a year.
How do they get coal out of train cars?
There are two basic ways to unload coal from a rail car at the power plant: rotary dump or bottom dump. (A third option, side dump, generally is applicable only for specialized short-haul situations.)
How long is a coal car on a train?
Large Open-Top Hopper
| Feature | Attribute |
|---|---|
| Outside Length of Car | Range from 51 to 57 ft. |
| Cubic Capacity | Range from 3,483 to 4,685 cu. ft. |
| Gross Weight on Rail | Range from 263,000 to 286,000 lbs. |
| Load Limit | Range from 185,000 to 243,800 lbs. |
What is a rail hopper?
A hopper car (US) or hopper wagon (UIC) is a type of railroad freight car used to transport loose bulk commodities such as coal, ore, grain, and track ballast.
What is the difference between a hopper car and a gondola car?
Hoppers are used to haul bulk freight such as coal, gravel, and grain; they have either several discharge hatches or a collapsible bottom for rapid unloading. Gondola cars have fixed bottoms and must be unloaded from above with the help of a crane; they are used to transport manufactured goods.
Do trains run on gas or coal?
What do trains use for fuel? Trains use diesel, electric, and steam power for fuel. Upon the genesis of the railroad, steam was utilized, as it was the standard for many industries.
How many tons of coal can a train car hold?
Each train has approximately 115 cars, and each car carries an average of 116 tons of coal. Some plants receive more than 26,000 tons of coal in a single day.
How do they unload freight trains?
Because these rail cars are open at the top, bulk commodities can be poured into the length of the rail car. Open-top hoppers are unloaded the same way as covered hoppers: using sloped floors and doors that slide open at the bottom, products are discharged quickly using gravity.
How much does a 100 car coal train weigh?
Each loaded coal car (an open-top gondola or bottom dump hopper or bottom dump rapid discharge railcar) weighs an average of 143 tons.
What are hopper cars used for?
A hopper car (US) or hopper wagon (UIC) is a type of railroad freight car used to transport loose bulk commodities such as coal, ore, grain, and track ballast. Two main types of hopper railcars: covered hopper cars, which are equipped with a roof, and open hopper cars, which are open top.
How many cars are in a coal train?
Each of the coal trains would be approximately a mile and a half in length, made up of 125-150 cars, depending on car size and type. There is no cap on the number of trains possible, should the proposed terminal expand capacity in the future.
Are trains coming through anyway for coal exports?
Thus, U.S. coal export facilities will likely drive increased rail traffic on western rail lines. CommunityWise Bellingham has also examined the “trains are coming through anyway” fallacy and its implications for local taxpayers. Are there any limits on coal export volumes or number of trains?
How much does a coal car weigh?
Each loaded coal car (an open-top gondola or bottom dump hopper or bottom dump rapid discharge railcar) weighs an average of 143 tons. Due to this extreme weight, each 125-150 car train requires four to five locomotives, and therefore has at least four times the impacts due to diesel emissions of a single-locomotive train.
How did steam locomotive tenders work?
By the mid-1800s, most steam locomotive tenders consisted of a fuel bunker (that held coal or wood) surrounded by a “U” shaped (when viewed from the top) water jacket. The overall shape of the tender was usually rectangular. The bunker which held the coal was sloped downwards toward the locomotive providing easier access to the coal.