02-07-2011, 06:05 PM
Ralph, mines are located all over the world, but if you don't have one on the property, you can bring raw, semi-finished or fully processed raw materials from any of the other plants. Any car type can be used - preferably a type that you might not otherwise be able to use, but it could just as easily be a favourite type (or roadname).
Commonly used cars are covered hoppers (mostly granular or powdered material), boxcars (same as the covered hoppers in-bulk, but also in bags and/or barrels). Liquid or gaseous products usually move in-bulk in tankcars, but smaller quantities can be shipped in boxcars utilsing steel drums. Some grades ship in open hoppers or gondolas, too (it looks similar to ballast, and the size and colour may vary)
While the ore is usually of very low density, the use of actual ore cars could be justified by shipping so-called Heavy Flux - as the name implies, it's pretty heavy. 
I see no reason why flux couldn't be shipped as briquettes, either, or even as ingots. Heck, even as rolled sheet - coil cars could be full of it! 
Wayne
Commonly used cars are covered hoppers (mostly granular or powdered material), boxcars (same as the covered hoppers in-bulk, but also in bags and/or barrels). Liquid or gaseous products usually move in-bulk in tankcars, but smaller quantities can be shipped in boxcars utilsing steel drums. Some grades ship in open hoppers or gondolas, too (it looks similar to ballast, and the size and colour may vary)
While the ore is usually of very low density, the use of actual ore cars could be justified by shipping so-called Heavy Flux - as the name implies, it's pretty heavy. I see no reason why flux couldn't be shipped as briquettes, either, or even as ingots. Heck, even as rolled sheet - coil cars could be full of it!
Wayne