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Larry, I Think That Ricky Is Correct: the Item Across the Top of the Endsill Is Merely a Handrail. the Head Shield Is Hidden by the Tank Jacket. While Looking...
Larry, I think that Ricky is correct: the item across the top of the endsill is merely a handrail. The head shield is hidden by the tank jacket.
While looking for information on the head shield, I came across THIS. If you scroll about halfway down the page, you'll see a section dealing with "Tank Cars Without Underframes" and mention of both the end handrails and side "safety railings". Here's a quote copied from the linked page:
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End Platform Safety Railing
255. Two.
Dimensions
256. Minimum of 7/8 inch diameter, wrought iron or steel, or one and 1 1/4 inch pipe. Minimum clearance, 2 1/2 inches.
257. One safety railing at each end of car shall extend horizontally across car not less than 36 inches nor more than 54 inches above end platform, and shall extend in a vertical direction down to end platform within three inches of the end of the platform. The safety railing shall be located not more than six inches from the inside edge of the platform.
Manner of Application
258. Safety railings shall be supported at the centre, and be securely attached to end platforms.
Side Railing
259. Two.
Dimensions
260. 1 1/4-inch iron or steel pipe. Minimum clearance, 2 1/2 inches.
261. One on each side of car, extending from end platform to end platform at a distance of not less than 51 inches from centre line of car, except that where break in side railing is necessary for side ladder or operating cabinet, the side railing shall be securely attached to such ladder and/or cabinet.
Manner of Application
262. Side railings shall be securely attached to end platforms, and be supported from the car at intervals not exceeding 10 feet.
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The above notwithstanding, I'll still contact Procor tomorrow. Maybe they'll at least have a name for those side thingamajigs.
Wayne
Sarah Jenkins is a veteran tech journalist with over 12 years of experience covering artificial intelligence, mobile innovations, and digital ethics. Her insights have appeared in leading technology publications worldwide.
