I noticed a container train sitting overnight here in denver on one of the passing sidings. Has anyone else noticed stopped trains that sat more than 24 hours? Could this be a result of the hurricane?
It's quite possible. I'm sure they'd hold stuff intended for the gulf ports. No sense in sending stuff into harm's way. Or having no place to make delivery. Boxcab E50
CSX east out of New Orleans is not expected to be reopened for at least 6 months. There is >26 miles of track and 6 major bridges totally destroyed in Louisiana and Mississippi, and an additional 50 miles of track that has significant damage including washouts and bent or broken rail. The worst problem for the destroyed trackage and bridges is that much of it is in swamps and can not be reached by anything but airboats and barge cranes...unless you are adept at walking across the backs of alligators...
It will be something to note if the government is going to kick in a few bucks to rebuild the railroads or just let the companies do it !! I know the highways will get built fast.
I wonder if the Administration and Congress will repeat the $15 BILLION bail-out given to the airlines after 9/11. Or will they realize that it was a waste that only delayed the ultimate brankruptcy of all the major airlines. There seems to be a growing desire and discussion within Congress for a balanced national transportation infrastructure. Unfortunately, this does not appear to be true within the White House Administration.
Let's not stray too far off, since this is supposed to be a model RR forum. Also remember that political discussions can easily get heated and create bad blood. I understand the points being made here, but this road has been travelled before with regards to Amtrak, and it wasn't pretty. Thanks in advance for your understanding.
I went by it again yesterday. Same cars sitting there indefinately. They are also not on a yard track or other secondary trackage.These things are sitting on a passing siding that gets heavy usage on the mains.
Thanks Eagle, As the resident rabid bleeding heart liberal, I don't want to get into a useless fight with all my good right wing buddies. So lets keep it on the trains.
FWIW, I noticed the same cut of cars on my Caboose Hobbies trip. I know that stack trains run on the ex-C&S from Denver north to Laurel, MT, but I have no idea where this one's from or where it's going. Most likely, you're right- storm-related closures on the Gulf Coast may be the culprit. We're liable to see several cuts of loads in places hither, tither and yon until things return to some semblance of normalcy along the Gulf.
I have seen the CP park a train of coal cars or grain cars for three or four days on a passing siding. Never have found out why though! They even leave the power connected. Eagle2 ,sorry about that last post of mine, the fingers are typing faster than the brain is thinking!!!!
Your government comment was actually fine, I'msure any resulting dialogue would have gone way off topic though. But it is curious how we use tax money ( lets not argue taxes being good or bad, they've existed since ceasars time) for highways , and trucking but not for rail lines.
Well its really very simple, Code 83 and DC Both have very powerful Lobby Groups backed by a huge grandfathered bankroll. Is that a close enough description about transportation without getting political? Not to mention the Unions, they get mad when you take out all their electric switches and replace them with single remote control Decoders You'd think they'd LIKE the smaller rail height, but NO, then they couldn't trip over the rail and claim workmancomps or worse, they would have to work laying all that new track. Which they'll gladly do of course, but they hardly consider a can of pepsi and the bag of pretzels a decent salary. No way they're going back to the peanut gallery neither!! .
I've noticed that at Emeryville. The first time in 2000 the area was clear, then last yr I was there, a line of double stacks (with FRED on one end don't know about the other) sat there for 4 days.
