I assume since the lines these are on are mostly just from one building next to the other they only make one trip. I don't know much about the ladles or how they operate I'm still researching on them so i can eventually have a location on a bigger layout for these ladles.

No, these ladles do not have a heating system, the real version from what I read had a brick lining to insulate the cars and help the molten metal stay liquid. They typically stayed liquid for about 1 hour to 4 hours.

Extra photos. Aerial view of the tower's lot and a picture of the Conrail switcher sitting by the tower

Extra photos. Aerial view of the tower's lot and a picture of the Conrail switcher sitting by the tower