WECX 301

Description:

This twenty two axle schnabel car is owned by Siemens Westinghouse. It was originally owned by Westinghouse. This car, still in service is used to deliver nuclear reactors, and generators. It is almost identical to the WECX 102. This car was built for Westinghouse by McDowell- Wellman Engineering Company.

Specification:

Built	1969
Marked Capacity	1,200,000 lbs.
Load Limit	1,216,500 lbs.
Light Weight	516,000 lbs.
Maximum Gross Weight	1,732,500 lbs.
Number of axles (33" wheels)	22
Empty Car Length	135' 7"
Maximum Loaded Length	175' 1"
Maximum Height, Empty	15' 1"
Maximum Width, Empty	10' 8"
Maximum Vertical Load Shifting ability	12"
Maximum Horizontal Load Shifting ability (either side of car center line)	14"
Minimum Curve (empty car)	38 ° 55' (150 foot radius)
Minimum Curve (car loaded without any horizontal shift of load)	17° 45' (325 foot radius)

Photos:

Bill Blevins shot this photo at the Port of Charleston, with a generator load. The steam generator is two reactors being constructed at South Carolina Electric and Gas Summer plant.

The following two photos were sent to me by Kennedy How, they were taken in Fostoria, Ohio on July 20, 2002. They are used with his permission

The following two photos are use with permission of Ken Roble. They were taken on June 27, 2000, at Kasgro in New Castle, PA.

The following photos of WECX 301 and rider car WECX 104 were sent to me by Ed Griffin. They are used with his permission. These photos were taken by Ed at Siemens Westinghouse in New Kensington, PA.

The following detail photos of WECX 301 were sent to me by Ed Griffin. They are used with his permission. These photos were taken by Ed at Siemens Westinghouse in New Kensington, PA.

The following photos were sent to my by Paul Lanyi. Paul took these photos at Kasgro Industries in New Castle, PA during late July 2001.

Date, location and photographer unknown.

The car also carried nuclear reactors, at Charleston, S.C. duing June 1978, photographer unknown.

Photos and articles in print:

Publication	Date	Page	Comments
Classic Freight Cars, The Series, Vol. 6 Loaded Flats and Gondolas by Henry Maywald		62 & 63	Two color photo's, one empty, and the other loaded with a nuclear reactor.
Annual Report - Southern Railway System	1975	25	One Photo
Ties - Southern Railway System magazine.	Janurary/February 1974		Article and three photos
Ties - Southern Railway System magazine.	Janurary/February 1976		One photo and caption
Trains	1979	14	One photo and caption

Equipment Diagrams:

The above diagram is from my collection.

Click here for blueprints.

Related Patents:

Patents are a good place to find diagrams.

Patent Number	Date	Title	Diagrams
3,744,434	12/25/71	Schnabel-Type Railroad Car

Commercial Models:

Concept Models

This is a resin model, with decals included. It can be made for either the 20 axle (WECX 101, 202) or 22 axle (WECX 102, 301) cars. This is a great models, with simple instructions and it is extremely easy to put together.

Concept Models also provides three custom loads, a reactor, generator and a transformer. These loads are prototypical depending on which car 20 axle (WECX 101, 202) or 22 axle (WECX 102, 301) is modeled.