Observer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Shortline Sammie Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Fred and all;
> >
> > From the description and car numbers, you were
> > listening to the Oregon Pacific at Canby...must
> > have been at a pretty good elevation to hear us
> in
> > Wilsonville!
> >
> > Actually what you were hearing was the car
> number
> > (NDYX 515249) followed by the load limit (223)
> and
> > tare (empty) weight (63) in thousands of pounds.
> A
> > hopper of corn, this one adds up to
> > 286 (000) pounds or what we consider a "heavy"
> > car.
> >
> > TTZX 84659 is an empty centerbeam (whether it is
> a
> > "heavy" or "light" is determined when it goes
> out
> > as a load), but not at this time.
> >
> > On the other hand, MKT 14044, a load of steel
> > coil, has a load limit of 187(000) pounds and a
> > tare weight of 75 (000) which add up around 263
> > (000) pounds or a "light" car.
> >
> > The Class I (UP) pays us a slightly higher rate
> > for the heavy cars vs light ones, the
> difference
> > of which we invest in track and bridge upgrades
> to
> > handle the heavier cars.
> >
> > Hope you enjoyed the "show".
> >
> > Dick Samuels
> > www.oregonpacificrr.com
>
> Fair enough, I am not in a position to speak to
> this subject. However, how does Joe Schmuck,
> average train crew member, know how to interpret
> the info that you have alluded to?

Quite easy; the load limit and light or tare (empty) weight are stenciled on the side of the car near the car initials and number.

Sammie