REX 4053 37.8
WIF 201 Empty 46700 / 2000 23.4
GTW 517042 Full 127200 x 1 = 127200 / 2000 63.6
BAR 7826 Empty 51700 / 2000 25.9
NYC 168372 2/3 121800 x .67 = 84606 / 2000 40.8
URTC 23334 Full 78900 x 1 = 78900 / 2000 39.5
346.6
104.4
To start the unloading process, the engineer and conductor will connect the locomotive with idler cars to the rolling stock on the South (Starboard) outer rails and move them forward on the float barge.
The locomotive returns to remove the remaining cars on the South (Starboard) outer rail of the float barge.
All the cars contained on the North (Port) outer rail are removed from the float barge.
NYC 168372 40.8
Diagrams are for illustration only and do not represent any scale drawing.
Distributing the Weight
Balancing the car loads on the car float barge is an exercise in some basic math. An example has been prepared for using Form 100. Once the weight, in tons, is calculated for each car that is to be loaded on the float barge, the total weight can be found. Take the total weight in tons and divide by three for proper weight distribution for each track. Using this example, the distributed weight for each track is 115.5 tons.
However, the middle track can only handle approximately two 50' cars in total. Therefore, the heaviest cars are selected for the middle track. Then, the two outer track are evenly distributed within a couple of tons of each other.
Unload... Switch... Load...
Now that the car float barge is fully in action, Let the Ops Session roll on!
The Car Cards and Waybills include information that is important for calculating car weight for loading the car float barge. The LD LMT is the maximum weight for this car loaded. LT WT is the weight of the car void of contents. For calculating car weight, the Waybill lading indicates the load for the car. For less than a car load, that load percent weight is multiplied with the LD LMT on the Car Card. If the car is full, for example, the multiplier is 1. That calculated weight is then divided by 2000 to arrive at the tonnage weight of the car. In the case of a refrigerator car that is completely unloaded, the car is returned empty. To calculate the weight of an empty car, the LT WT number is used and divided by 2000 to arrive at the tonnage weight of the car.
LUBX 1317 19.6
Model Railroading
GTW 517042 63.6
Two of the cars will be cut-off for balance of the float barge after they have been moved to the front of the car float barge.
122.4
SFRD 14183 37
The rolling stock on the middle are removed with the final connection of the locomotive to those remaining cars on the float barge. (Note: The length of the train removing the cars from the car float barge will become rather lengthy for the size of the layout. It is advised that in between the moves to remove rolling stock from the car float barge that cars be dropped off in Yard 1, 2 and 3 sidings.)
NYC 175012 1/2 123500 x .5 = 61750 / 2000 31
SFRD 31844 Empty 56900 / 2000 28.5
REX 4053 3/4 99400 x .75 = 74550 / 2000 37.3
LUBX 1317 Empty 39100 / 2000 19.6
SFRD 14183 Full 74300 x 1 = 74300 / 2000 37
SFRD 31844 28.5
The car float apron is a gantry style bridge and can not handle the weight of a locomotive. Two or more flatcars will be used as idler cars to reach the rolling stock contained on the float barge. (Note: The car float apron track is not powered. A locomotive moved on the apron will stall!)
BAR 7826 25.9
The car float barge has arrived at Layette Street Yard & Docks. The car float model is a Walthers cut-down version of the kit with a section removed. Therefore, its capacity is only 10 cars. Train crews involved in car float operations refer to the tracks on the float barge as north, south and middle. Orientation of the Apron can make North and South confusing. The North side of the float barge is the port side. The South side of the float barge is the starboard side. Note the orientation for this layout pertaining to the car float. Operations can be achieved from either side of the car float module.
The centerpiece of this operating model railroad is the car float barge and the gantry style apron. Car float operation is a science of its own since a car float barge can be easily capsized if they are not properly balanced and loaded or unloaded in sequence.
Car Float Operation
NYC 175012 31
Next, the locomotive will return with two of the removed cars and connect to the rolling stock contained on the North (Port) outer rail.
120.3
Webmaster: Richard A. Hock
Favorite Links of the Railroad
115.5
WIF 201 23.4
URTC 23334 39.5
Images from - The Water Level Route Takes to the Water:
NYC Marine Operations in New York Harbor Part 1 & 4 by Thomas Flagg
With the car float barge empty, it is loaded in the same sequence in reverse. However, the ordering of the cars on each rail of the car float will be determined by weight. Weight calculations will be made by the Yardmaster to balance loaded weight on each of the three rails.
Weight Load Calculations
The last cars to be removed reside on the middle rail of the car float barge.