Oversize loads

[Mr Fixit]

There have been a number of articles about this topic in both Model Railroader and Trains magazines of the past few years. MR recently had a front page photo featuring oversize flat car loads.

Here is a copy of the TRAINS News Web article that is very relevant;

BNSF faces lawsuit over damaged windmill blades
Published: May 6, 2011
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Siemens Energy has sued BNSF for damage to windmill blades that the manufacturer says occurred while they were in transit, the Wichita Eagle (Kan.) has reported. Siemens alleges that 21 blades struck an overhead bridge in Kansas City, and all were found to have damaged tips.

The blades were moving by train from Siemens’ Fort Madison, Iowa, plant to Liberal, Kan., last August when the damage allegedly occurred. Siemens is asking for $3.2 million, including $2.6 million for the blades.

Neither BNSF nor Siemens commented on the suit.

So it would appear that BNSF accepted an oversize load for delivery but someone in the Oversize Loads Department got their maths wrong when checking that the blades would clear all obstructions on the route, and that they were loaded within the height guage limits.

I think this covers it :oops:

Mark