How are road trailers secured on flatcars?

[Dinorius_Redundicus]

I've recently made a 1950's road trailer, and have been requested to also make it available as an interactive load.

How, in real life, are these trailers tied onto flatcars? And would it be a good (or stupid) idea to have that securing mechanism modelled as part of the trailer?

If you know the answers and can provide links to some pictures, that would be great. Otherwise, I will probably just release the trailer as is, and let it sit on the flatcars unsecured.

~ Deane

 

[mbv67]

Trailer Hitches (Fifth wheel) are commonly used on TOFC Flatcars to properly secure the trailer during the trip on a flatcar and have been seen on flatcars since the start of the Trailer-on-flatcar service.

 

[NIARTcar]

also, a combination of chains and wheel chalks, or blocks are used to teather the wheels

 

[Rusty1955]

Trailer Hitches (Fifth wheel) are commonly used on TOFC Flatcars to properly secure the trailer during the trip on a flatcar and have been seen on flatcars since the start of the Trailer-on-flatcar service.

It also has 2 rails that are supposed to go between the wheels to keep it from bouncing sideways.

That is not always the case though. A State Trooper friend of mine had the job of stopping a train today in Abilene that had a trailer about to drop off the side of it due to the backend bouncing sideways.

He ran down about 4 miles ahead and put red flares on the tracks and had his flashing lights on. About the time he did all that, the Highway Patrol had reached UP in Omaha and they had ordered the train to stop.

 

[Dinorius_Redundicus]

Thanks very much for such quick responses.

Anyone have a clear picture of one of the 5th wheel hitching devices for the flatcar? And would it make sense to include that as part of the model given that it is really a part of the flatcar and not of the trailer?

 

[NIARTcar]

here is a whole assembily picture (close to your era range)

and here is clear one of just the supports

DIAGRAM!! LOTA LUCK!!

and this is just a pic of intrest

 

[Dinorius_Redundicus]

Brilliant! Thank you. That's about all I need. To the gmax bat-cave Robin...!

 

[mbv67]

:hehe: Well that was funny and good luck with the trailer Dinorius_Redundicus.

 

[NIARTcar]

Brilliant! Thank you. That's about all I need. To the gmax bat-cave Robin...!

No problem, looking forward to you work

good day,

Nick

 

[sethmcs]

Hopefully something really good comes from this. Good Luck.

 

[Dinorius_Redundicus]

Returning you to my original thread, where you'll see a picture of the final result.

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?p=471422#post471422