Inverted 'V' railcar

[craig vincent]

Myself and a group of friends noticed an unusual (to us anyway) rail-car and had a lengthy discussion about it. We would really appreciate some clarification on this.
The car in question was cylindrical in length, but was 'bent' down in the middle. The apex was half way down the car, and I guess the angle to be about 150 deg. I hope that makes sense. If i see it again i will be sure to photograph it. It was seen from the N3 between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.
The 2 questions that we debated where, 'what does it carry' and 'why the design'.

Thanks in advance.

[Steve Appleton]

Hi Craig:
I suspect the wagons you saw are cement wagons, designated as types XB or XBJ.
Pictures are on the SA-Transport website
here: http://www.sa-transport.co.za/train_mod ... e_ra06.JPG
and here: http://www.sa-transport.co.za/train_mod ... 1_ra06.JPG
Please let us know if either of these are the vehicles you saw and whether that answers your question.

[Steve Appleton]

There is also another type of cement wagon designated as XBJ-11 pictured
here: http://www.sa-transport.co.za/train_mod ... e_dc04.JPG

[John Ashworth]

When I saw "railcar" I immediately thought of a motorised passenger rail car or inspection trolley and was trying to imagine how one could be that shape. You've now clarified it, Steve - it's a freight wagon.

[craig vincent]

Hi Steve.
Thanks for the reply. That is exactly what i was talking about. Well done!
Any idea on why the one with the 'V' pointing up is shaped the way it is? My guess is that it is a stronger design than if it was just straight. But then how is it emptied? From the photo it looks like there is a drain valve at the back. Or maybe the wagon is inverted.

[craig vincent]

Hey John
Please excuse the terminology. Was racking my brain to find the right term. 'Wagon' it is, haha.

[John Ashworth]

Craig, I just realised that query was your first post to the forum. We usually try to welcome newcomers, so belatedly: welcome to the forum! We hope to see many more posts from you. Don't worry about terminology; somebody usually finds the answer. In this case Steve's brain was apparently functioning rather more efficiently than mine!

[Steve Appleton]

Craig, I do not definitively know why the "V" shape. Tanker wagons carrying liquids like water and fuel are configured simply as horizontal cylinders, usually with internal baffles to prevent too much sloshing around.
Example pictures on SA-Transport website:
Petrol and oil http://www.sa-transport.co.za/trains/sa ... sl_223.JPG
Type X-17 Water http://www.sa-transport.co.za/trains/sa ... 1_ck04.JPG
Type XNJ-2 Anhydrous ammonia http://www.sa-transport.co.za/train_mod ... b_1_ck.JPG
Petrol tanker http://www.sa-transport.co.za/train_mod ... 238_sl.jpg

I can only imagine that this "V" shape has something to do with the ability to completely fill or empty the wagon. Unlike a liquid, if drained centrally, the cement would pool and remain at each end of a horizontal cylinder. Possibly the "V" shape allows the cement to slip (flow) down towards the "drain" pipe, ensuring that the wagon empties as completely as possible. Perhaps it aids the filling, enabling the cement to flow and completely fill right up to the centre and both ends of the wagon which it would not do if stored in a plain horizontal cylinder.

Maybe someone else on this forum knows the answer this question?