Did you know?

[FastEd]

On Dec. 19, 1986, the White House announced President Ronald Reagan's approval to develop a rail system for basing part of the Peacekeeper Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) force. To increase survivability of this force, 50 Peacekeepers would be deployed in existing Minuteman silos and 50 more would be mounted on 25 USAF trains, two per train. Each train would consist of two locomotives, two security cars, two missile launch cars housing the missiles, one launch control car, one fuel car and one maintenance car. Each launch car carried one Peacekeeper ICBM, in a launch tube that could be elevated to fire the missile from the bed of the car. Overall body length of the launch car is 87 feet and fully loaded it weighs more than 520,000 pounds. The trains would be located in shelters located on USAF Strategic Air Command bases throughout the continental United States, with the missiles on continuous strategic alert. When necessary, the trains could be dispersed onto the nation's rail network, making it extremely difficult for an enemy to target and destroy them. Development of the rail garrison deployment system was terminated in 1991 as Cold War tensions eased. Major contractors for the rail garrison system were Boeing Aerospace Corp., Westinghouse Marine Division and Rockwell International Autonetics.

This prototype car was delivered to the museum in 1994.

 

[gramps]

I didn't have a clue. Of course I am not into espionage/counterespionage. :mrgreen:

 

[FastEd]

I didn't have a clue. Of course I am not into espionage/counterespionage. :mrgreen:

The Government didn't think the American Public would be too happy to hear about nuclear weapons bouncing around in box cars all over the Country.

 

[BucolicBuffalo]

Look at the way those rails are bending under the weight of that one car.

 

[SamV]

Yep. I remember that plan.

 

[toysoldier]

Was there supposed to be a guard contingent with each train? I'm picturing a confrontation between a couple of taggers and some USAF MP's with loaded M-16's. :lol:

 

[Jeepnik]

Was there supposed to be a guard contingent with each train? I'm picturing a confrontation between a couple of taggers and some USAF MP's with loaded M-16's. :lol:

Bang, problem solved. And it might just have convinced these vandals to quit.

Graffiti is a blight on the landscape. But it only occurs where it is allowed to. You don't see it in Bel-air or any other upscale neighborhood. But even my middle class area has none. Why, because we do not allow it! It's tried every now and then, but we find the one's responsible and deal with them appropriately.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I remember this plan was announced as a safeguard after it became known that all the ICBM silo locations were known and targeted by the Russians. A Perfect example of the US trying to stay one step ahead in the arms race. These and the ICBM nuclear subs were a big deterrent to nuclear war, I think.

 

[Jeepnik]

I remember this plan was announced as a safeguard after it became known that all the ICBM silo locations were known and targeted by the Russians. A Perfect example of the US trying to stay one step ahead in the arms race. These and the ICBM nuclear subs were a big deterrent to nuclear war, I think.

Soviets did the same thing. We likely knew exactly where there's were and vice versa.