Flat Cars in Muskegon

[Mr. Tops]

While out last night, I was quite surprised to see four 86 foot flat cars at the Mart Dock. I went back today to get some quick, chewie grabshots and see that it appears they are scrapping the cars. The cars are FTTX 961099, FTTX 963206, FTTX 963233, FTTX 963239. FTTX 961099 was built in 7/68, while the other three were built two years later in 7/70 so they have met the end of their 40-year service life, albeit a few months shy for the three built in '70.

I thought it was an odd place to scrap cars, but nevertheless there are two cutting torches and a dumpster there and some of the cars are already missing their stirrup steps, pin lifters and break riggings amongst other parts. These flats were auto frame flats.

FTTX 963206-


FTTX 961099-


FTTX 961099 built 7/68-


FTTX 963233 with brake reservoir and other parts laying on the ground. USS LST 393 is in the background-


The other side of FTTX 963233 with a torch line running to it-


In this shot you can see the handbrake and brake chain have been torched off-


The end of FTTX 963239 minus stirrup steps, pin lifter and airhose. Parts can be seen laying on the ground. Some of you may like this picture for other reasons


Here's a better view of some of the removed parts. Handbrakes and resorvoirs tanks can be seen-


Another view. Two of the cars still have their handbrakes and other accessories yet-


This is FTTX 961099, the oldest of the three cars and is still pretty much intact for now-


Hmm...something is missing but I just can't place it-


Here's one of the torches they're using-


And here is the other torch setup they're using-

[CharlieX90]

That is a odd place to scrap cars.Nice detailed pics Tops...I see Pat C's favorite truck in the backround

[AARR]

As always Tops, great report and photos!

[PAT.C]

I see Pat C's favorite truck in the backround

I TOLERATE AN OCCASIONAL BUTT LIGHT
---I LOVE MILLER LITE !!!!!!!!!!!

[BB]

Out west there's a lot of old flat cars used as bridges to cross small creeks, etc.

[J T]

Hey Bob, what happened to this rusty old boxcar with what looks like the face of Jesus on the side?

[DLM]

Cut the unwanted stuff off and you have a nice bridge or ramp. Those torches seem to small to be cuttting up the entire cars.

[JDavis21835]

Cut the unwanted stuff off and you have a nice bridge or ramp. Those torches seem to small to be cuttting up the entire cars.

I was thinking the same thing. Those torch set rigs are acetylene and regular oxygen, and expensive way to scrap. Top that off, it looks like both rigs are welders rigs. Im thinking someone is going to fab something out of these. If they were scraping them, at the very least, they would be using propane and liquid oxygen. As they burn hotter, and are cheaper.

[Mr. Tops]

You guys are absolutely right. I just did a trace and they came off the KYLE Railroad in Salina, KS. Waybill shows TTX as the shipper and Lone Star Bridges as the consignee. The company is based out of LaGrange, TX - here is their website: http://www.lonestarbridges.com/

There is another flat at North Yard today, FTTX 603611 and the other four at the Mart Dock were being worked on as the crew was torching off the drawbars/couplers. It will be interesting to see how they ship these out; truck most likely as I'm guessing there must be a customer nearby that ordered these...otherwise, why they are doing this in Muskegon is beyond me. Being at the Mart Dock, they have access to the lake and could go out on a barge, or seeing a flatcar on a flatcar going out of town would be cool too but I won't hold my breath on that one.

[Raildudes dad]

Same "tool trailer" on the website as your photos. Stop and ask them where the cars are going

[Norm]

Never thought of it before but they certainly would make good bridges to farm fields in areas like Saginaw Valley where they have to cross narrow but very deep drainage ditches.

Makes sense they would dismantle them somewhere near their final destination. Are there such drainages in the Muskegon area?

[Mr. Tops]

I noticed the same trailer too, RDD

Norm, there are plenty of culverts and drainage ditches around here.

Here are some mroe pictures from today:

[boatnerd06]

Are the cars still at the Mart. Might go grab some shots when i go back to Muskegon tomorrow.

[GHRailFan]

Are the cars still at the Mart. Might go grab some shots when i go back to Muskegon tomorrow.

Ill check today when I am up there (I have to do all the signals through there the next couple days). I believe they are still there.

[Mr. Tops]

Last time I was there (Monday), there were still three of them there and one more at North Yard to be spotted.

[GHRailFan]

There are now 4 up there, and there was a large flat-bed truck parked next to them. Looks like at least one may be going somewhere soon. Ill be doing those crossings in that area tomorrow, so I will update on any movement.

[GHRailFan]

They now have highway guardrails on them and a dumpster full of trucks and wheel sets next to them. Ill post some pics a bit later.

[lemscate]

Heard from someone who talked to the guys working on the cars that they're for Consumers Power. They're going to use them for planking so they can get a crane out to work on electric towers out in the swamps.

Ryan

[crohakon]

You guys are correct. I talked to the security guard at Mart Dock about 3 weeks ago when I went to take pictures of the flats. He told me that Consumers Power bought them and was having them modified to be used as bridges out in the swamps so they could get their trucks out to work on lines. Sometime in the near future we will see Ericson's out their with the big cranes putting them into place.

[Raildudes dad]

Don't think your going to see them moving soon. Weight restriction just went on in Muskegon, Kent & Montcalm Counties. The rest should follow soon