Refrigerated Containers

[Legolash2o]

Hi all,

Can all locomotives carry refrigerated containers?
Does the locomotive power them?
Do they have battery backup?

What are the things to consider?

I know there are infrastructure constraints (W9/W12), but I don't know anything about the other constraints such as the locomotive.

Thanks.

 

[Speed43125]

Can't say for Uk railways specifically, but reefers normally have an onboard diesel generator

 

[Bayum]

En masse transport of the Pfizer vaccines in tankers full of dry ice?

 

[Legolash2o]

Can't say for Uk railways specifically, but reefers normally have an onboard diesel generator

Thanks for the info.

En masse transport of the Pfizer vaccines in tankers full of dry ice?

Not thought about it, as Covid isn't my research topic. Refeer's have been mentioned in a few of my meetings for freight in general and always been curious as to how they are powered.

 

[3973EXL]

Just another box, all equipment is self contained.

Only time I knew of any railway involvement was with Channel Tunnel traffic. Fire risk, so turned off during transit of the Tunnel.

 

[swt_passenger]

I think the only time the refrigerated containers are switched to an external supply is when onboard a ship?

 

[Legolash2o]

Thanks for the answers everyone.

Are they used a lot in the UK?

 

[hst43102]

Thanks for the answers everyone.

Are they used a lot in the UK?

I'd say less than 5% of intermodal rail traffic is reefers. However I often see them on trucks.

 

[Puppetfinger]

When on a ship they are plugged in, most often to a 3 phase 440v supply.

Don't know enough to know whether any freight locos would generate sufficient power for numerous containers to run (presumably need something similar to the ETS?), and then there would be the cabling etc needed to supply them. Suspect that they will run on their diesel supply should they have one.

 

[Romsey]

Reefer boxes work with lpg or diesel powered compressors. I agree with an earlier posters, they are meant to be turned off through the Channel Tunnel. ( Do similar regulations apply for the Gotthard and Lotschberg base tunnels?)
Think - freight locos in the UK don't have an ETH (head end power supply), nor do the wagons have ETH jumpers.....

 

[73001]

I think the only time the refrigerated containers are switched to an external supply is when onboard a ship?

I know they can be plugged in on the docks too. My mate used to work for Maersk shipping containers and he forgot to book a plug for a container of chocolate bars at the docks in Rotterdam. As it was summer the whole lot melted whilst waiting for its onward shipment.

 

[swt_passenger]

I know they can be plugged in on the docks too. My mate used to work for Maersk shipping containers and he forgot to book a plug for a container of chocolate bars at the docks in Rotterdam. As it was summer the whole lot melted whilst waiting for its onward shipment.

Yes, that would make sense as well. I suppose they can quite easily have a dedicated area on the docks for them.