"What are these odd train cars?"
Answer: "Those are called “wedge plows”
Pushed from behind by a locomotive to clear snow. The hydraulic “wings” on the side can be extended to increase the lateral amount of snow being cleared, depending on snow depth.
Looks like that one was built in 1948. I know they’ve been in continual service in Canada for 120+ years."
I have one of these! In spite of what I thought when I first saw it at a garage sale it's comfortable beyond belief. I can sit on it for a couple of hours and get up with no trouble at all.
don't blame you, he got tatts and has no idea what they are?