RE: (erielack) AN EDUCATION PAMPHLET FOR LACKAWANNA EMPLOYEES ON THE ATOMIC B...

[cbschneider_@_att.net]

Frank,
Thanks for posting that very interesting bit of information, I enjoyed reading it.  To others who might complain about non-EL content I would suggest that since the original post was DL&W related it is not really a serious transgression of list policy to have a few informative responses following.  This is just my opinion and I of course can't speak for Paul T.  Thank you again.

Charles Schneider

- -------------- Original message from Frank P Adams <frank.p.adams_@_verizonbusiness.com>: -------------- 


> 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 

	The Erie Lackawanna Mailing List
	Sponsored by the ELH&TS
	http://www.elhts.org

------------------------------