Is it just me or does it seem that there are less and less spine cars around lately. It seems that every intermodal train that goes by is mostly, if not all, made up with well cars. Are spine cars on the way out? With all purpose well cars that have the ability to not only carry two containers, as opposed to a spine cars one, but also trailers, it would seem well cars could be a little more efficeint. So I'm wondering if railroads are opting to use the wells a little more. My reason for asking is that I like to have my layout always be modern. So if others are noticing this trend, I may have to update my roster.
I see them trundle by downtown Seattle still ... usually with a load of UPS trailers ... mixed together with well cars and 89'flats et al ...
Gordon that reminds me. I seem to be seeing less of the flats also. I live in Rochester, NY near the CSX mainline. Maybe it's a CSX thing then. We'll see what others have to say.
Depends on where you live and railfan. We have seen hundreds of spine cars and well cars apparently in long-term storage in various sidings along the BNSF transcon. One report I got first hand from a resident along the line stated that the entire ex-DRGW line from Monte Vista CO to South Fork CO was filled (not the sidings only, the line itself) with intermodal equipment in long-term storage. That's about 30 miles.
Just recetnly, I saw a long string of them in Chicago. Also a huge amount of well car strings too. There were definaly more of the well cars, but, again, I still saw the string of 20 plus spine cars.
Now that im working for a particular rail road, it seems to be a mixed bag. Well cars do have more versitility, because you can (on most), put a trailer in a well car but also throw a couple of 40 foot containers in it. But again just the other day I saw a train made up entirely of spine cars.... just depends where you catch them.
In Tallahassee, I can't tell you the last time I saw intermodal cars of any kind...just lots of tank cars and boxcars. Perhaps a side effect of Katrina? Dunno.
They're still alive and well on the BNSF between KC and Ft. Worth - I see a lot of intermodals w/ double stacks in the front and spines/flats w/ UPS and other trucking lines on the back.
Can't say for sure which line it is (CN I believe) still has a whole bunch of them in service. Always saw large numbers of spines on the north side of the Chicago skyway (I-90) in the Chi-Gary area when I was driving otr.
I have not noticed less spine cars here in North Florida, but now that it is mentioned - I'll pay more attention. I have read a lot about RR owned trailers being discontinued and trailers in general being on the decline, But you would not know it from what I see. Still LOTS of trailers in all configurations abound ......... There may be more containers in use, but since they are often double stacked they don't seem to take up more of the train, as a whole.....if you get what I mean...... I suspect that some of those stored units will get some use when the shipment for the Holidays start arriving in N. America. Steven
I've noticed far more wells than spines also, but I'm in Western Washington, which is a huge port area. There will ALWAYS be trailers around, containers and chassis are heavy. Trailers weigh a LOT less, therefore you can put more weight in them, therefore, things are cheaper to ship. I see a lot of brand new Interstate and GTI trailers going west to Seattle or Tacoma, on spine cars, so trailers are still being built in large numbers.
Don't see any out here, but then again, most of the intermodal has always been well cars in this part of Texas.
Don't see spine cars here recently, either. Then again, they were never more than rare. Mostly well cars, a couple flats per intermodal train on average. Only containers.
Here in South Florida there are still loads (majority I'd actually say) of spine cars on the FEC, they still far outnumber well cars here, but the FEC still runs a massive fleet of its own trailers so it figures.
This has been pretty interesting. Looks like it may actually be a regional thing or even particular routes. Thanks to everyone that replied.