Anyone ship their MV by rail recently?

[PureMayhem]

I have searched the forums for replies concerning shipping MV’s by rail, even read all of the “Should we have a train forum/ bash Ferro” thread. I’ve only found one comment on shipping by rail and that was negative due to the chance for vandalism. I want to ship my 5 ton from Houston to Missoula, Montana this spring and based on what I see in the threads it will be at least $2 per loaded mile (1,900 miles at least) to have it trucked and I am afraid to drive it that far so I am looking at the rail option. Has anyone shipped by rail and had a good outcome? I am asking for quotes right now from a couple of railroads and car carriers but have not got any back yet.

 

[KsM715]

The "per mile" cost may be better than shipping by truck but the cost to load and unload is the deal breaker, at least that's what I've heard. ( unionized labor to load and unload) I wouldn't do it just because of the vandalism aspect.

 

[tstone]

Yet another reason to consider starting a RR forum!

Tom

 

[CARNAC]

OH NO, not the lets ship by rail thread again!!!!

 

[BradBMI]

What if I buy a C130 or Chinook from GL and air deliver with parachutes I also found on GL? Would be fun!

 

[CARNAC]

Only if you buy the tool kits that look like jerry cans and put on the vehicles. Time for that thread to raise its ugly head.

 

[EMD567]

A single car move would cost you way more than the 3800.00 dollars to truck it. Plus, you just can't chain a truck to a flatcar, and call it good. You would have to block the wheels, and secure the cab so that the doors can't open.

Then you would have to worry about the the RR losing the car(yes, they lose cars all the time)

 

[FormerNewMVGuy]

I have had to leave my civi truck at the rail yard a few times, Its never a good idea... They usually refer to them as the hobo highway, they are usually in a real bad part of town, So I know I wouldn't want leave my 5 ton chained to a railcar for days while it set in a yard somewhere with potentially homeless Spanish speaking illegals living in it or vandalizing it.

 

[VPed]

Hey, I speak Spanish. I keep buying big green or tan trucks that my better half does not appreciate as much as I do so I guess I am also potentially homeless. Darned good thing I am legal (most of the time). Adios, amigos.

 

[FormerNewMVGuy]

Hey, I speak Spanish. I keep buying big green or tan trucks that my better half does not appreciate as much as I do so I guess I am also potentially homeless. Darned good thing I am legal (most of the time). Adios, amigos.

No disrespect intended, just my experience with local railyards around here.

 

[emmado22]

I had BNSF loose a rail care with 2 M1A2 Tanks on it, going from Ft Hood Tx to Ft Irwin, Ca. For 3 days they had no idea where the rail car was.

 

[CARNAC]

I had BNSF loose a rail care with 2 M1A2 Tanks on it, going from Ft Hood Tx to Ft Irwin, Ca. For 3 days they had no idea where the rail car was.

But CARNAC knew, LOL.

 

[CARNAC]

Hey, I speak Spanish. I keep buying big green or tan trucks that my better half does not appreciate as much as I do so I guess I am also potentially homeless. Darned good thing I am legal (most of the time). Adios, amigos.

Classic!!

 

[fireball]

Think some slick fellas put their trucks in containers and ship them with no problems. It is far cheaper to ship a container of truck parts than to pay the demeurage on a flatcar while you are trying to figure out all the block and tackle rules

 

[iatractor]

Back in my fuel hauling days, a company I interned for trucked fuel to the locomotives at the rail yard. Got to witness the building of many trains, and I can say that the handling of railcars is not gentle. They would get the locomotive up to a good speed, cut maybe 3-4 cars loose, then throw the switch and slam them into the train they were making. Noisy and it wasn't uncommon to see flat cars with equipment bouncing around. Thought UPS was hard on things shipped but rail can be destructive on non-bulk commodities.

 

[PureMayhem]

Thanks everyone for their input. I may look into the container angle since my neighbor is in that business but will start getting quotes on trucking my MV to Montana.

 

[camoyj7]

Like this.

What if I buy a C130 or Chinook from GL and air deliver with parachutes I also found on GL? Would be fun!

 

[davo727]

Are there containers that are wider inside than standard 7 ft 8in ? I was thinking even the front hubs were wider than that? as usual mine is not within reach for me to measure. As far as height you can remove the top and exhaust stack, fold windshields etc so that's not a problem

 

[DJones]

That would be a sight to see the 5 ton going over and down the hump at the yard.

 

[Castle Bravo]

Are there containers that are wider inside than standard 7 ft 8in ? I was thinking even the front hubs were wider than that? as usual mine is not within reach for me to measure. As far as height you can remove the top and exhaust stack, fold windshields etc so that's not a problem

It seems like I recall seeing photos on here of a M809 5 ton inside of a connex. I want to say the front wheels and tires were removed and it was steered all the way to one side.