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Empty 737 Fuselage on Train Weight?
After seeing a train recently with 737 fuselages on the way to Renton, I was just wondering how much they weigh in the state they are in while being shipped. Doe anybody know the approximate weights for any or all models?
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- george77300
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Re: Empty 737 Fuselage on Train Weight?
planecane wrote:After seeing a train recently with 737 fuselages on the way to Renton, I was just wondering how much they weigh in the state they are in while being shipped. Doe anybody know the approximate weights for any or all models?
Very light indeed. No idea precisely. This is just the frame with no heavy bits. No engines, landing gear, avionics or even the wings and tail.
Re: Empty 737 Fuselage on Train Weight?
[twoid][/twoid]
Based on the load limit for the BNSF flatcars that carry the fuselages, the bodies weigh a maximum of 46000 lbs. That's the top number, I unfortunately don't know enough to get a more specific number.
planecane wrote:After seeing a train recently with 737 fuselages on the way to Renton, I was just wondering how much they weigh in the state they are in while being shipped. Doe anybody know the approximate weights for any or all models?
Based on the load limit for the BNSF flatcars that carry the fuselages, the bodies weigh a maximum of 46000 lbs. That's the top number, I unfortunately don't know enough to get a more specific number.
Re: Empty 737 Fuselage on Train Weight?
Here is an example for those who haven't seen it. Luckily I live not far from this photo and get to see the 737 trains from time to time.
A standard OEW for 738 is 91,300 lbs. The fuselage on the train is missing engines, wings, APU, rear surfaces, interior, avionics, etc. I would estimate...maybe 1/3 of the OEW on the train?
A standard OEW for 738 is 91,300 lbs. The fuselage on the train is missing engines, wings, APU, rear surfaces, interior, avionics, etc. I would estimate...maybe 1/3 of the OEW on the train?
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- Newbiepilot
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Re: Empty 737 Fuselage on Train Weight?
smithbs wrote:Here is an example for those who haven't seen it. Luckily I live not far from this photo and get to see the 737 trains from time to time.
A standard OEW for 738 is 91,300 lbs. The fuselage on the train is missing engines, wings, APU, rear surfaces, interior, avionics, etc. I would estimate...maybe 1/3 of the OEW on the train?
I think it is way less than that. It is just the aluminum structure which is closer to 10,000lbs.
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- FrmrKSEngr
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Re: Empty 737 Fuselage on Train Weight?
On a related note, Boeing studied stuffing fuselages in Wichita before shipping to Renton. I heard the capacity of the overhead crane in the Wichita plant couldn't take the weight of the -900 stuffed.
Re: Empty 737 Fuselage on Train Weight?
m007j wrote:Based on the load limit for the BNSF flatcars that carry the fuselages, the bodies weigh a maximum of 46000 lbs.
The maximum gross weight of the car is only 46000 lb more than the empty weight? Why so low?
Re: Empty 737 Fuselage on Train Weight?
timz wrote:m007j wrote:Based on the load limit for the BNSF flatcars that carry the fuselages, the bodies weigh a maximum of 46000 lbs.
The maximum gross weight of the car is only 46000 lb more than the empty weight? Why so low?
Just depends on how the car was manufactured and the specs that were requested by the customer. The maximum allowed weight on the US rail network these days is 286,000 lbs but some rail shippers are located on railroads which have not upgraded their track to handle the 286K requirement so they don't need to purchase 286K capable cars, saves money on component costs. Sort of the same way you don't spend extra on a F-350 if you only need a F-150.
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- Starlionblue
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Re: Empty 737 Fuselage on Train Weight?
Obligatory picture of 737 fuselages after attempting to escape back top the wild.
Re: Empty 737 Fuselage on Train Weight?
OKCDCA wrote:timz wrote:m007j wrote:Based on the load limit for the BNSF flatcars that carry the fuselages, the bodies weigh a maximum of 46000 lbs.
The maximum gross weight of the car is only 46000 lb more than the empty weight? Why so low?
Just depends on how the car was manufactured and the specs that were requested by the customer. The maximum allowed weight on the US rail network these days is 286,000 lbs but some rail shippers are located on railroads which have not upgraded their track to handle the 286K requirement so they don't need to purchase 286K capable cars, saves money on component costs. Sort of the same way you don't spend extra on a F-350 if you only need a F-150.
BNSF also scavenged these cars from across the system, these are just old regular flatcars that got Boeing mounts on them. For example, BNSF car 800120 weighs 115400 lbs with a load limit of 46000lbs whereas car 800116 weighs 107800 lbs with a load limit of 112,200 lbs. The difference is in what the cars were built to carry, some of the cars used to carry cars (autoracks), some were just general flatcars.
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