Western Railroad Discussion > Flexibeam vs. Centerbeam advantage?

Fellow TOers, I'm wondering if there was some specific load or traffic need that led to the development of the Flexibeam car (first photo).  Does the Flexibeam have some inherent advantage other than its shorter height, vs. regular centerbeam cars (second and 3rd photos).  I never even knew about the existence of the Flexibeam car until my friend Darren, who is unloading the car in photo 3, mentioned that he had one come in once that I unfortunately didn't get photos of.  I was happy however to find the mty one in the consist of the ARZC westbound freight shown in the first photo, when my friend Russ and I were out there in April 2021.

Any discussion appreciated.

Andy



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/22/24 19:01 by AndyBrown.

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Flexibeam cars were designed by BNSF for hauling both forest products (lumber, etc) and steel products, which allows for more loaded backhauls. The car is longer and heavier than standard centerbeams.

Posted from iPhone

IIRC BNSF is the only ones with Flexi-Beam cars.

Eng.Shadetree

A few examples of BNSF "FleXibeam" lumber cars...

1. BNSF 564149 & 564176 on the MRL tracks at Iron Ridge west of Helena, MT on 4/8/08.
2. BNSF 564054 on the MRL tracks at Muir, MT west of Livingston, MT on 6/12/10.
3. BNSF 564197 (with steel I-beams) on the BNSF at Cajon Pass, CA 1/26/12.

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4. BNSF 564186 at Cajon Pass, CA 12/27/19.
5. BNSF 564057 at Cajon Pass, CA 12/27/19.

(both with dragging tie-down straps...)


~ Mr. MRL

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Now that's a smart car design.  You'd think TTX would make then, given they can haul all kinds of freight (lumber, steel beams, sheetrock, etc.).  Why aren't there more of them in use???  Earn money going both ways, right?

Another advantage of these cars is that if the straps are thrown right, there is no need to climb on top of the load to insert corner protectors and hook cables to the top member of the beam. The loader can simply throw straps over the car and winch them down on the other side.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

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coach Wrote:
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> Now that's a smart car design.  You'd think TTX
> would make then, given they can haul all kinds of
> freight (lumber, steel beams, sheetrock, etc.).
>  Why aren't there more of them in use???  Earn
> money going both ways, right?

My guess, from the receiving locations I have seen for structual steel, is that most places that would be a hinderance. The places in southern California I am familliar with would have no way to unload the far side using a forklift. 

And there is a big difference between those flexibeam and the centerbeams. The centerbeams are slightly angled inward. Flexibeams are not.

MrMRL Wrote:
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> (both with dragging tie-down straps...)

Almost. Every. One. ;)

Czephyr is absolutely correct.  

The downfall was that the cars were not as good as a center beam for lumber and not as good as a bulkhead for steel.  So, if car supply was adequate, the flexibeams were not a lumber or steel shippers first choice.  

So if the FlexiBeams had base steel wedges angled inward, they'd be better.  Seems to be a simple solution to make the car more desired.

Guys, I'm late getting back to this thread but thank you all for the great info and excellent photos!

Andy

coach Wrote:
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> So if the FlexiBeams had base steel wedges angled
> inward, they'd be better.  Seems to be a simple
> solution to make the car more desired.

Not necessarily. Not quite that simple.