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RE: (erielack) AN EDUCATION PAMPHLET FOR LACKAWANNA EMPLOYEES ON THE ATOMIC B...
Jeff,
Thanks, on the money comments. The cold war being my previous career, here's
some information on Damage to Transportation Equipment - Railroads from "The
Effects of Nuclear Weapons" (Glasstone and Dolan, 1977, 3rd edition, signed
"To Frank, with Best Wishes Edward Teller")
5.92 Railroad equipment suffered blast damage in Japan and also in tests in
Nevada. Like motor vehicles, these targets are primarily drag sensitive and
damage can not be directly related to overpressure. At peak overpressure of
2 pounds per square inch from a kiloton range weapon, an empty wooden boxcar
may be expected to receive relatively minor damage. At 4 psi overpressure,
the damage to a loaded boxcar would be more severe (references a picture).
At peak overpressure of 6 psi the body of an empty wooden boxcar weighing
about 20 tons was lifted off the trucks, i.e. the wheels, axles, etc,
carrying the body and landed about 6 feet away. The trucks themselves were
pulled off he rails apparently by the brake rods connecting them to the car
body. A similar boxcar at the same location loaded with 30 tons of
sand-bags remained upright although the sides were badly damaged and the
roof demolished, the car was capable of being moved on it's own wheels. At
7.5 psi peak overpressure, a loaded boxcar of the same type was overturned
and at 9 psi completely demolished.
5.93 A diesel locomotive weighing 46 tons was exposed to a peak overpressure
of 6 pounds per square inch while the engine was running. It continued to
operate normally after the blast in spite of damage to windows and
compartment doors and panels. There was no damage to the railroad track.
Frank
Colorado Springs, CO
ELHTS #52 / ELHS # 2116
- -----Original Message-----
From: erielack-owner_@_lists.elhts.org [mailto:erielack-owner@lists.elhts.org]
On Behalf Of eljefe3126_@_netscape.net
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 10:49 PM
To: Njricky2_@_aim.com; Pat_McKnight@nps.gov; erielack@lists.elhts.org
Subject: Re: (erielack) AN EDUCATION PAMPHLET FOR LACKAWANNA EMPLOYEES ON
THE ATOMIC B...
All,
Actually, the information in this pamphlet is extremely accurate. Just
about every single suggestion given would save lives and reduce damage in
the event of a nuclear attack. The only information in it that is dated is
the bit about the 4,200 foot deadly radius and half-mile range of total
destruction. However, in December of 1950, the hydrogen bomb had not yet
been invented, and the information in the pamphlet was true for just about
every weapon that had been fielded to that point.
As it was addressed to railroad employees, I'm surprised that more space
wasn't given to the effects of atomic weapons on rolling stock and track
structures. Rolling stock oriented end-on to the blast weathers the effects
as well as anything short of a concrete bunker. But even rolling stock
oriented side-on to the blast is surprisingly resistant.
And yes, radiation does pass through dirt or walls. However, it is
attenuated by its passage, to the point where a few feet of earth can mean
the difference between life and death.
I miss the EL (list content). But I don't miss the Cold War.
Jeff Larson
ELHS #2683
The Erie Lackawanna Mailing List
Sponsored by the ELH&TS
http://www.elhts.org
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