FireFighterHill
Banned
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Hmm I wonder if they would let us ride along with the truck. Or we could just hide in the back.
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I totally agree with you about all the dangers of rail transport.....The only benefit I could see in shipping by rail, is that if a person wanted the bottom half of their truck repainted in colorfull GRAFITTY!!!!!... The rail yards nowdays are full of aspiring spray can "artists"....Definately no to buying and using your own railcar. Even if you found one with a current air date and everything in good mechanical condition; the railroad(s) will charge you ($150.00 on the UP) every time they couple to or uncouple from your car. YOU are responsible for loading and securing your commodity to the railroad's specs.
You car is inspected by the car department in every terminal and any repairs deemed necessary are made and you get the bill... and they won't call you first with an estimate.
A break-down enroute will involve setting the car out in some siding and a repair trip from the closest car department (not covered by AAA).
Ferro and I could tell you numerous stories about lost cars, mis-routed cars, cars used as battering rams fo hammer other cars into a rail...
Even in an enclosed car, loads can break loose-- ask Ferro about 'excessive slack action'.
Lastly, I worked as a switchman for 37 years (SP then UP) and have seen how freight cars are handled in a railyard. I don't think I would ship any of my stuff by rail.
I've had my best luck with a shipping broker (Unishippers is my #1 pick). They're used to dealing with trucking companies, and will call around for the best price for you.
Well I was only considering moving the won auction home. The amount of time it'll spend in the shop. It'll need a new paint job.I totally agree with you about all the dangers of rail transport.....The only benefit I could see in shipping by rail, is that if a person wanted the bottom half of their truck repainted in colorfull GRAFITTY!!!!!... The rail yards nowdays are full of aspiring spray can "artists"....lol
Soni
You sure would think moving by rail would be cheaper than trucking, but from what I' m hearing here, ....NOT!
I guess Warren Buffet didn't make a multi-$billion investment in rails because it was cheap.
Another reason why he bought in though is due to the high value of the RR real estate that goes along with it. It stretches across America.
You mean had rail access...like many a grain silo most the bases now have abandon spurs, most of which are only identifiably by the signature scar found from a satellite image.Cruise around on GOOGLE EARTH and look at how many military bases have ACTIVE rail access.
I rest my case.
Yeah I can't tell you how many businesses used to use rail but no longer do because of the big rail roads not wanting to switch cars I believe that the rising cost of diesel will bring these small industries back and we will be restoring the rail heads we tore out 30 years ago when rail was doing bad. Trucks will always be needed to take the frieght from the warehouse to the individual stores but freight has been increasing drastically on the rail roads because people realize its much cheaper to move "bulk" freight by rail. I believe that one 90' box car can move 4 trucks worth of freight, that's four less trucks on the long haul road, four less drivers and insurance and 4 less fuel bills so rail is smarter and more economical. I do understand what you mean about smaller rail cars the big guys wont have them but if you had a business that delt with moving MV's you could purchase your own small cars and the big guys might agree to move them
Just a thought but....
When Walmart/Sams suddenly realizes the economies of rail, spurs will be built to existing stores and new stores will be built on existing rights of way.
In a "perfect world", this would have already been an integral part of their business plan.
Cruise around on GOOGLE EARTH and look at how many military bases have ACTIVE rail access.
I rest my case.
I BEG to differ!So it doesn't surprise me one bit that the AF has no more active rail lines.
Well I was generalizing, most AFB's have lost there active lines...I BEG to differ!
YouTube - Shaw Air Force Base Railroad
BTW, that's me in the video!
And the Army is purchasing lots of new locomotives and sending all the current ones to the shop for rebuild- yes a lot of bases have lost their rail access but those that still have it are busier than ever. We asked to get a locomotive to replace the two we are using now at Shaw AFB. The Army told us that with projected usage and the new/rebuilt units, they can spare us one in 20yrs. No lie! The Army handles all DOD rail assets and training- my engineers license was issued by the Army.
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