Wow! At first I didn't get the description, but then looking closer... Oh! The knuckles aren't coupled together!
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This vessel must be very strong to be used in this way. I can only hope that this was a special movement, and was not to be placed in a train except at the end. Please also note the vertical black line on the vessel just above the space between the couplers and labeled C.G. which indicates the Center of Gravity of the load. If this photo had been taken from further back, it could be seen that the load is mounted on pivot points in the center of each supporting flat car, which is the main reason why these cars are not coupled together. When the load is lifted by a crane, the hook block or the center of the spreader or sling must be directly above this line.
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Are you sure that isn't Canon's new 500ft to 1500ft lens?
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The destination is Billings, Mt, so this hookup has a way to go. At 866,000 lbs. its a healthy axle load.
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Good eye. If you look closer, the black line is just a marker, it is lifted from the wood banded around the shell on either side of the photo, you can clearly see strap marks on the wood.
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You'd think the air hoses would come apart...but I suppose the load keep those in place as well. Nice shot, Mike!
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