06-21-2014, 06:33 AM
I hadn't heard about solar panels on cars like this before so I did a search and learned that they re related to a system that regulates the flow of ballast on the tracks from each car. Its done by remote control instead of manually opening the hopper. Pretty cool but, like you, I'd wonder about the risk of damage during loading.
After a little more online research I found this thread (by Gary) on our own forum that has photos of ballast cars with the panels on the side.. <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://bigbluetrains.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=2357">viewtopic.php?f=26&t=2357</a><!-- l -->
After a little more online research I found this thread (by Gary) on our own forum that has photos of ballast cars with the panels on the side.. <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://bigbluetrains.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=2357">viewtopic.php?f=26&t=2357</a><!-- l -->