Cutting Through Wreck (wood) - How?

[Rick Inman]

I found 2 box cars from a train wreck (1919) in about 110' of water (my post about it, HERE). The first car looks like a side loader that is mostly buried and closed. The second car is a top loader, is open and is easy to swim through.

It has been suggested to me that I find a way to cut into the top of the first car to see what's inside. So I have 2 questions:

#1. Not saying I'm going to do it, but, hypothetically, what is the best way to cut through the water-logged wood at 110'?

#2. (This is really just a troll ) Is it ethical to cut a hole into this historical dive artifact?

 

[RDP]

Wow, are you really going to get some pissed off responses! Hope you own the water they are in.

 

[Kriterian]

Step 1: Cut a hole in the boxcar using the teeth of a dead stroke (if you're going to troll, you got to go all out).

Step 2: Install a door, preferably one with a lock on it.

Step 3: Attach a sign that says, "Be back in 15 minutes", with no date or starting time on it.

On a more serious note though, is there anything of signifigance in the open car that would make it worth possibly destroying the other one? Remember what happened when Geraldo opened Al Capone's vault on live television?

 

[Rick Inman]

On a more serious note though, is there anything of signifigance in the open car that would make it worth possibly destroying the other one?

Not talking about bringing it up or destroying anything. Just cutting a hole underwater, just large enough for one person to swim into.

You know, there is lots of precedent for cutting entrances into wrecks.

And remember, we are talking HYPOTHETICAL.

 

[dlndavid]

Very interesting Rick. I know you like to do your homework, so is there anyway you could find out what's inside first by checking railroad records or insurance claims?
Maybe it full of gold, hey buddy.

 

[Rick Inman]

Very interesting Rick. I know you like to do your homework, so is there anyway you could find out what's inside first by checking railroad records or insurance claims?
Maybe it full of gold, hey buddy.

Actually, the rumor is (and I don't believe it) there are old automobiles packed in grease. And I have NO INTENTION of cutting into it. But some of us are talking about the "what if " of it, and the "how" of it. So we said we would start by looking inside.

Actually, cutting a hole into it using tools at 110' goes beyond where I feel comfortable with my diving level right now.

Makes for interesting discussion, though.

You do believe me, don't you??

 

[Bill51]

The more politically correct question would be how to uncover enough of the side door to get it open without disturbing the stability of the car. I would also do some research with a few of the antique train experts to determine the type car you’re dealing and with what the structure under the top is like. Most likely if the closed car has a walkway on top or end steps, there may be a small brakeman access door on of the ends that might be easier to access – though that would make it a much more serious penetration dive to enter.

Since the cars have sunk pretty deep into the bottom, it’s possible the engine is still down there also, but completely buried. Using a small trash pump as a dredge pump might let you find the engine as well as uncover enough of the door to enter the boxcar.

 

[Bill51]

I just spoke to a friend who tracks down historical railroad information as a hobby and he volunteered to do a little discrete investigation about the train. He thinks it’s a Burlington train and he has lots of info on their older lines and equipment. He wanted to know if the engine was running when it went into the water, because most steam locomotives of that era exploded rather violently when they hit the water and that was not uncommon. He said if it was running at full pressure when it went into that cold of water most of the main engine would have been turned to shrapnel and all that would be left would be the wheels, axles, and miscellaneous parts that blew off. Hopefully he’ll know a little more later this week and if you’d like to PM me with any other info that might be helpful we’ll see if we can find out more about your choo-choo.

Many states also have railroad historical groups that can help with more info and in some cases they will help fund recover efforts of some parts for their museums.

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Not talking about bringing it up or destroying anything. Just cutting a hole underwater, just large enough for one person to swim into.

You know, there is lots of precedent for cutting entrances into wrecks.

And remember, we are talking HYPOTHETICAL.

Just FWIW, working hard at 110' is potentially fatal. Narcosis starts to cause a total focus on the task, to the exclusion of other data (like how fast you're burning through your backgas). CO2 buildup can easily lead to black-out (and has - trust me on this one). After you realize you're OOA, you can be narced enough to not immediately recognize which way is up - because sawing through wood raises a hell of a siltstorm. It can get seriously annoying.

Hypothetically speaking, there are better alternatives. One might include using a PVC tube and a surface mounted compressor to vacuum the silt away from one end of the car and try to enter it via a hatch. Much less physical effort, gas loading, CO2 retention, narcosis, etc.

If you decide otherwise, use safety divers to monitor anyone working at that depth.

Hypothetically speaking, of course.

 

[Charlie99]

Just FWIW, working hard at 110' is potentially fatal. Narcosis starts to cause a total focus on the task, to the exclusion of other data (like how fast you're burning through your backgas). CO2 buildup can easily lead to black-out (and has - trust me on this one). After you realize you're OOA, you can be narced enough to not immediately recognize which way is up -

Are you trying to say there's a reason that a lot of commercial work is done full face mask and surface supplied. Surface supplied air (edit: or hydraulic power) could also be used to power some serious cutting or drilling tools. All hypothetically, of course.