This morning the CSX corporate inspection train passed through Gulfport, MS eastbound from New Orleans. What was odd was that a very shiny(!) UP freight unit was behind the two CSX F40's, AND a UP sleeper(?) was spliced into the middle of all the CSX corporate varnish. By the way, there appeared to be many people on board. Question - Is there a corporate relationship growing between CSX and UP ... more than just run-through trains and power-sharing? (At least half the trains passing here are headed by UP power.)
Hank, UP and CSXT have been expanding their joint marketing of perishable traffic recently and I believe California-Florida is the latest lane on which they have established such service. The train was probably full of BIG perishable shippers. When CSXT and Conrail instituted a new service for paper shippers in 1991 called "The Capitol Connection" I rode the special train from Jacksonville to Washington. Same type of train - cars of both railroads.
Makes sense ... Thanks Gregg I hope Barry didn't do you any misery .... [ 09 August 2001: Message edited by: Hank Coolidge ]</p>
That shiny UP SD70 came back westbound this morning pulling its lone observation car (not a sleeper). Talk about over-kill ... the SD70 appeared much more massive than the car, and looked longer too.
