Re: [Non-DoD Source] Re: [RealSTMFC] Hauling Sand before Covered Hoppers Became Popular
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Gatwood, Elden J SAD
All;
Reason I ask is, I am aware of several customers that wanted specific cars (classes) for their use, and got their way. And this is related to why they did not want sand in box cars or gons.
For instance, Mississippi Glass (later Corning) wanted dedicated H30 and H32, for their use in glass sand shipment.
They later got very insistent that they get dedicated H34 (PS-2’s), which my guess was related to contamination and possibly also water contamination.
There were also various foundries that asked for certain types of car, for either “foundry sand”, or “green sand”.
They got all this from different sources, so it is important to our knowledge of freight cars, where they went, and why.
Thanks again, Schuyler!
Elden Gatwood
From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Schuyler Larrabee via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 1:52 PM To: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io Subject: Re: [Non-DoD Source] Re: [RealSTMFC] Hauling Sand before Covered Hoppers Became Popular
Well, I said . . . “and probably further distinctions can be made of each . . .”
So, a fair question Elden, but Google is your (and my) friend:
Foundry sand is quite interesting: Blockedhttps://www.solexthermal.com/resources/articles/what-is-foundry-sand/ This page mentions “green sand” which it defines as Green Sand is silica sand. Googling “green sand” gets you to what is apparently a literally green-colored sand for use in landscaping. But that’s not what we’re talking about.,
Glass sand Blockedhttps://www.sand.org/page/Glass_Production a quite interesting page. Click o “Industrial Sand” at the top of the page. There are several basic materials that can be the constituent parts of glass sand, including quartz, lava, and desert sand. Also click on “Research” for more interesting considerations.
Locomotive sand gets you to this page: Blockedhttps://www.kremersand.com/specific-applications/railway-sand which includes a de facto definition: a mixture of calibrated sand in various grain sizes, which is spread between the train wheels and the tracks.
As to shipment and rail cars used . . . well, my work here is done.
Schuyler
From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Gatwood, Elden J SAD
Schuyler;
From my research and experiences, there were some in my area that were important: foundry sand, glass sand, “green” sand, and locomotive sand.
What were the properties that were important to those uses, and how would this affect shipment and cars used?
Thanks!
Elden Gatwood
From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Schuyler Larrabee via groups.io
There are two varieties of sand (and probably further distinctions can be made of each). There’s beach sand, which is rounded grains (also what’s in the Sahara desert) from the wave (and wind) action. I would surmise that variety of sand would need to be covered so it doesn’t blow away. The other variety is angular sand, which comes from (typically) sand pits away from water. Angular sand is required for use in concrete, as it will lock together with the cement matrix to form a solid durable structure. I would guess that angular sand >might< be shipped without being covered as it would be less likely to blow away in transit.
And at this point I will point out one of my pet issues with the distinction between concrete and cement. Cement is an element in making concrete. Cement is not, directly, concrete.
Schuyler
From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io>
On Behalf Of reporterllc via groups.io
What kind of car was used? I am referring to bulk sand from a pit that ships out sand and gravel. Perhaps this sand would not be that specialized. Wouldn't it need to be protected from the weather? On a side note, In the early 1970s (long
after covered hoppers became popular) I remember a tower operator referring to an ancient gondola in a consist loaded with sand. I did not see it and wondered if it was covered. |
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