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Disclaimer:
I hope this isn't off topic, but I'm new the the world of railroading, and I don't have any good resources yet, if anyone here can point me to another place which might help me research better, I would appreciate it very much.
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I have noticed that some railways in my area have train cars filled with "Plastic Granuals" sitting on them. Some have messy spills around them with little plastic beads all over the place.
The train cars have been leased by companies such as Exxon, Dow, Epoxyflo and Trinity industries. I was just wondering if anyone knows what these companies use these massive amounts of plastic beads for. (They are the type of beads you'd find inside a hackey-sack or beanie babie. If you've ever dissected one, you'd know what I'm talking about.)
I assume they melt the beads down to make various plastics with them, but I was just wondering if anyone has anymore information on this.

Thanks,
JasonP

JPeitrochlaz@hotmail.com

One of the places you may want to look at to research for any railroading topic is Railserve. Hume may even have a link for it on this board. Railserve has a number of different types of railroad websites, depending on the type of research you want to do at the time. You are not off the topic when you come here to ask questions. There are a lot of very knowledgable people here and they are very kind.I have asked questions, some were probably pretty basic.No one has jumped my case or made me feel stupid, everyone has been more than helpful and oh, so cordial.

Ladypardus@cs.com

Jason,

We have a Mattel factory here where I live and this is the method that they use to ship plastic in for making toys by molding. They make the Power Wheels and stuff like that here, but not for much longer, thanks to cheaper Mexican labor, which may result in lost revenue for the shortline that they ship by, depending on who buys the plant after they vacate it. Hope this helps,

Stuart

gnufe@apex.net

That does help some, but I'm more interested in what there mega-chemical corps are doing with all these plastic granuals. Are the producing them and selling them, or are they using them to produce something?
Would you have happend to have noticed the names of any companies on the cars, and out of curiosity, what city/state is this mattel plant in?

thanks,
JasonP

> Jason,

> We have a Mattel factory here where I live
> and this is the method that they use to ship
> plastic in for making toys by molding. They
> make the Power Wheels and stuff like that
> here, but not for much longer, thanks to
> cheaper Mexican labor, which may result in
> lost revenue for the shortline that they
> ship by, depending on who buys the plant
> after they vacate it. Hope this helps,

> Stuart


JPeitrochlaz@hotmail.com

Covered hoppers are used to transport the raw polyvinyl chloride (PVC) granuals for making any PVC plystic product. One such product is the PVC plastic pipe used for water mains, sewer lines, and drain pipes.

North of Perris, California, one of the industries served by the BNSF is a plastic pipe factory. There are usually any were from 4 to 6 cars in its siding when I pass it on the way to Orange Empire Railway Museum.

Brian Norden
senior designer, Suburban Water Systems

bnorden@gateway.net

Hi Jason,

The plant is located in Murray, Ky. No I haven't noticed the markings on the cars, but the plastic has to come from somewhere. They use it to make toys, such as the Power Wheels line, etc. Next time I see a train roll through, I'll watch if I'm able to, and see what they are marked.

Stuart

gnufe@apex.net