rod Wrote:
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> I am looking for information on a rail siding
> layout typical of what was found along the RGS or
> D&RGW for ore loading from a storage or mine bin.
> Now assuming that the structure was similar to the
> ore bin located at Sawpit on the RGS ( I
> understand that this single chute loading was for
> truck loading on this structure but my question is
> if it was used for railcar loading).
>
> 1. My estimate is that this bin would hold the
> equivalent cubic material to fill two (2) 30 foot
> D&RGW high side gondolas.
>
> 2. If the car for loading is spotted with one end
> of the car under the chute how much of a grade is
> required for the loading operator to respot (roll
> via gravity) the car under the chute via a hand
> brake release or mechanical assist to complete the
> loading?
>
> 3. Or did the crew picking up the car do the
> respotting/loading in this type of structure/
> siding pickup ?
>
> 4. If the car was moved (or not) by the loading
> operator as in #2 and if the grade on the siding
> serving the ore bin descended back toward the
> mainline would a derail have been required (RGS/
> D&RGW practice)?
>
> 5. If more than one car (in this two cars) are to
> be loaded from the fully loaded bin again
> referring back to #2 scenario is this also
> possible again using gravity and how much of a
> grade would be required (assume 10 ton cars and 25
> tons of payload in each)?
>
> Rod
>
> [attachment 34281 74-19-20FrontViewV.2.jpg]
>
> [attachment 34282 74-19-18RightSideV.3.jpg]
Great Questions Rod. I do not know the answers, however if I were designing such a siding and intended for the mine operator to do car spotting, I would have one switch to the siding/spur track located uphill from the Ore Bin. At the downhill end of the track I would place a large earth mound to stop any runaway cars. I suppose the track slope would depend on how heavy a loaded car was expected to be.
Other thoughts: Perhaps the cars were only loaded by the train crew. The train brings empty cars and loads them, then continues with loaded cars?
Perhaps the by hand mining process was so slow that there was never a need for more than one ore car at a time?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/19/2016 12:53PM by guymonmd.
