737: The Next Generation June 28, 2006
Posted by gordonwatts in physics life, travel.trackback
So, how big is a Boeing 737? Well, not really that big after all. At least, if you don’t have wings attached (admittedly necessary to keep nerves of the passengers calm if not for other things). My bike ride home from UW takes me through a few train yards. On Friday I saw two 737 fuselages on train cars. They fit perfectly. I could have walked up and touched them had I been braver. Instead I just took a few pictures from a distance.
I like the markings on the tail giving the serial numbers – and labeling this model of 737 as The Next Generation. Imagine my surprise when it turns out to be the actual name of the airplane model!
Life as a Physicist 
Incidentally, here is an book you might find interesting…
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0813366429/sr=8-1/qid=1151546858/ref=sr_1_1/102-5366444-7012144?ie=UTF8
Boeing has long transported the B737 fuselages from its plant in Wichita to Seattle for final assembly. Although very practical at the time they do have to build in additional shock absorption for the rail journey (rail is the most ‘shocking’ of transport modes due to shunting) and time at the Seattle plant to repair transport damage. Shotgun and rifle damage is not unknown, I hear.
They are just moving away from this form of transport to building larger components and transporting by air with a highly modified B747.
Bruce Bird
http://www.modelairplanesecrets.com
Wow Bruce, Thanks! Shotgun damage!? I wouldn’t have thought of it — it isn’t as if we are living in Texas — but it isn’t suprising.