Visualizing Local Impacts of Coal Exports to China
Hello, my name is Yolandita. I am an Environmental Sustainabilty major at Shepherd University and a volunteer at SkyTruth. I have been asked to produce a 3D model of a coal train, that will be published to Google Earth. Coal companies are planning to export coal from Powder River Coal Fields in Wyoming to Bellingham, Washington, where it will ultimately be exported to markets in Asia. There will be 60 trains, each nearly a mile and a half long, making the trip daily. The 3D model will demonstrate what the train will look like passing through small towns along the way such as Billings, Montana and help visualize the local impacts.
| Close up of the locomotive in Google Earth, with downtown Billings skyline in the background. |
I used Google Sketchup and Google Sketchup Gallery to make the train model. I found and downloaded a perfect model of a BNSF locomotive and a few vehicles that would work. I then downloaded a coal car model and, using Google Sketchup, broke it to pieces and rebuilt it to match one of the BNSF coal car models.
| Shot of the coal car, as I edit it, in sketchup. |
The coal train shown below is a scale model of a 7,500 foot long BNSF train that will make the trip from Wyoming to Washington. The average carrying capacity for BNSF coal cars are just over 113 tons of coal. We’ve estimated that a typical train will consist of about 137 coal cars, which would mean an average of about 15,500 tons of coal for each train. That’s over 930,000 tons of coal being transported every day.
| Here you can see the full length of the train running parallel to Montana Ave., from 30th street to 10th street, in Billings, Montana |
For more background on SkyTruth’s research on coal transportation and its impacts, check out some of our other blogs, such as Coal Dust Threat in Seward, Alaska.
Source:
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Online: | |
| Visits: | 1,656,107,663 |
| Stories: | 8,292,416 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
