Not that I'm an expert at intermodal operations, but I believe that sometimes it becomes necessary to ship empty container chassis because the supply/availability becomes lopsided between destintations. That chassis likely does not belong with any of the containers on the train and they likely have their own slated for them. Loading a container on it for the trip makes sense as far as use of train space, but there would be the extra trouble of loading a container on it, then unloading it once it arrives, and all the associated procedures and paperwork that go with doing that. I'm sure it's less complicated/involved to ship each entity separately instead of combining them (as in actually attaching them together) for the train trip alone. Russ
I've seen this (and photographed it) on occasion also - on Tehachapi. It definitely adds some variety to the consist! Dave
Number of reasons to do it. First off, as was already said, there was a shortage of container chassis elsewhere and this was the easiest way to get them where they were needed. Another possibility is that there was no available storage space at the originating terminal and they decided to just send it else where. This is common practice with the intermodal cars themselves. Another option, although it obviously doesn't apply here, is that they needed to "load" a car to allow the train to make a higher speed. (Intermodal trains with empty cars are limited in speed on some rail lines. Just one chassis on a five unit spine car makes that car "loaded" and thus would qualify for a higher speed.)
