Friends of the Rail Forum

Used in the USA. A medium sized Schnabel unit.

Is Schnabel the name of the manufacturer or a description of the vehicle, or is it a vehicle designed to carry Schnabels? If so, what is a Schnabel and where and why do they carry them?

Schnabel is the name for the type of vehicle - a Schnabel refers to vehicle where the load forms part of the vehicle or frame. A clear example of this the 20 axle Schnabel - http://www.friendsoftherail.com/phpBB2/ ... =51&t=2334 - which shows this quite clearly. The Schnabel is connected together without the load when not in use.

In the case the Schnabel below and the other big one posted, the load includes a frame (not part of the Schnabel) where it is inappropriate to secure it direct - i.e. if carrying nuclear waste etc., or where the component being carried cannot bear the stresses involved.

Generally however the frame is done away with and the Schnabel attached direct - this has loading and offloading advantages, as well as reducing the height of the load. Attachment points are built into the load when designed/manufactured.

To explain further - the Schnabel part below, and a Schnabel without a load!