Bad day in Port Richmond

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Whoops!

I grew up near this operation, and always loved that kickback track when I was a kid.

I bet the crew didn't this day though...

http://conrailphotos.thecrhs.org/Images/CR-886174-lays-on-its-end-spilling-grain-all-over-the-place-at-the-Port-Richmond-Graino-Late-

[davefoxx]

Look at the angle of that tail track!  That covered hopper must have been hauling a$$ to go off the end of that track.  That must have been some sight to see.

DFF

[nickelplate759]

Wow - did this start with someone saying "Hold my beer" ?
From looking at the larger picture of the site, it would seem to me that something would have had to push the car to get it going fast enough - gravity alone wouldn't do it.

[Missaberoad]

Spring switch on the switchback? Interesting operation, much like some of the older coal ports...

Do any videos exist of it in operation?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Wow - did this start with someone saying "Hold my beer" ?
From looking at the larger picture of the site, it would seem to me that something would have had to push the car to get it going fast enough - gravity alone wouldn't do it.

Never underestimate the physics of railcars...

Here's what I'm betting happened:

The facility was designed for smaller, lighter cars (50 ton, probably). That means that the safety factor of "what happens if a loaded car gets down the ramp" was probably designed for that weight. Then, along come more modern 70 or 100 ton cars like that one.

Everything's fine when things are working as normal because an empty 70 tonner coming down the ramp to the kickback still weighs less than a full 50 tonner (that it was likely designed to handle).

But, if a loaded 70 ton car gets loose, well, things change...

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Spring switch on the switchback? Interesting operation, much like some of the older coal ports...

Yep! Reminds me of operating @spanosnu's coal dumper when I was a kid. So much fun.

[CBQ Fan]

Any photos showing the whole facility?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

From 1927:
http://digital.hagley.org/islandora/object/islandora:2012719

[Chris333]

Damn nothing left:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Port+Richmond,+Philadelphia,+PA/@39.9765136,-75.0941294,501a,35y,290.2h,44.8t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c6c9d79060d62b:0x87b46ac6e86cc512!8m2!3d39.9855402!4d-75.1037212

[wazzou]

From 1927:
http://digital.hagley.org/islandora/object/islandora:2012719

Wow, that's some congested living area.

[wazzou]

Damn nothing left:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Port+Richmond,+Philadelphia,+PA/@39.9765136,-75.0941294,501a,35y,290.2h,44.8t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c6c9d79060d62b:0x87b46ac6e86cc512!8m2!3d39.9855402!4d-75.1037212

Isn't that astonishing?  That's why I love the research of railroads...seemingly more than building one.

[jagged ben]

From 1927:
http://digital.hagley.org/islandora/object/islandora:2012719

Okay, I finally found where the ramp is (barely) in the picture.   

 

Never underestimate the physics of railcars...

Here's what I'm betting happened:

The facility was designed for smaller, lighter cars (50 ton, probably). That means that the safety factor of "what happens if a loaded car gets down the ramp" was probably designed for that weight. Then, along come more modern 70 or 100 ton cars like that one.

Everything's fine when things are working as normal because an empty 70 tonner coming down the ramp to the kickback still weighs less than a full 50 tonner (that it was likely designed to handle).

But, if a loaded 70 ton car gets loose, well, things change...

hmmm.  I don't buy it.  It shouldn't matter how heavy the car is, it's deceleration on the kickback should be roughly proportional to its acceleration on the downhill ramp.    (It's related to that thing Galileo proved by dropping two differently weighted balls from the Tower of Pisa and showing they hit the ground at the same time).   I agree with nickelplate, something gave that car an extra shove.  Perhaps a whole cut of loaded cars got loose so there were several cars still on the downhill pushing it.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Wow, that's some congested living area.

Yep. Also, somewhere in that photo, I think, is my great grandmother's taproom. I used to hear all about it when I was growing up.

[nkalanaga]

It also doesn't help that the modern cars are longer.  Even if the center of gravity stops at the same point, the leading end will be further up the track.

[lock4244]

Spirit of PC... if a standing car can derail, anything is possible.