A mile-long freight train stopped me at a rail crossing in Terrell, TX for 10 minutes today. Getting a front-row seat to all the different ways we move things across our country made it exciting. Here's a list of America's railcars and what they're used for: 1/n
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Autorack. It's a double-layer railcar used for moving cars or SUVs 2/npic.twitter.com/fTuAkAUjr9
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Boxcar. The center door opens and allows forklifts go inside to move pallets in and out. It's for consumer goods and other stuff that goes on pallets. 3/npic.twitter.com/wIUcdyH8TP
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Refrigerated Boxcar. Basically the same thing as a regular boxcar, but it's refrigerated. Not all lines can take refrigerated containers. 4/npic.twitter.com/N5DLcymwte
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Flatcar. These are used for moving goods that can be exposed to elements. There also used for truck trailers. 5/npic.twitter.com/w6qbSn4pKB
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Covered Hopper. Used for plastic pellets (loaded from the top) and unloaded usually by vacuum from the top. 6/npic.twitter.com/7BErFk8YvF
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Tank Car. Used for moving liquids (usually chemicals and oil). This is one you don't want to crash... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lac-M%C3%A9gantic_rail_disaster …pic.twitter.com/NvTwCzHgvZ
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Intermodal. Used for containers that can go on boats and be moved by trucks. Double stacked for efficiency! 9/npic.twitter.com/1WkHmJsKyf
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Open Hopper. Used for top loaded bulk goods which don't need protection from the elements. Looks like this one also has gravity gates. 10/npic.twitter.com/hnsKKIJBmj
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Centerbeam. Used for construction materials like wood. 11/npic.twitter.com/v0Icql5ewc
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Sources: https://www.mrc-rail.com/railcar-types/ https://www.up.com/customers/all/equipment/descriptions/index.htm … It is said that the US has the most developed freight rail network in the world. 12/12
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Covered Hopper with gravity gates. This is used for animal feed. Notice the "gravity gates" at the bottom. This can be unloaded by opening the gates at the bottom. 7/n (I messed up and lost the thread)pic.twitter.com/Td9Se8eBGc
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