CE 515 Railroad Engineering Unit-Train Operations Special Freight and Package Services Source: Armstrong Ch 14 & 16 “Transportation exists to conquer space and time -”

Unit-Train Operations Bulk commodity freight (coal, grain, minerals) Moves as a unit from origin to designation, large producers to large consumers Typical weight: 12,000 – 15,000 tons tons per car

Unit-Train Operations Efficiency and Regulation – Switching at the origin, destination, or intermediate areas can be costly – Prior to 1950’s rail companies were prevented from lowering costs to the consumer by ICC regulation (would favor large shippers over small shippers) – 1950’s to 1960’s rail companies allowed to reduce cost to the consumer to reflect lower operating cost – 1980’s Staggers act allowed railroad companies to negotiate shipping contracts with consumers and be more competitive with the trucking industry

Unit-Train Operations Railcar and locomotive specialization – Special railcars used to maximize efficiency in loading and unloading (Armstrong: aluminum instead of steel coal cars) – Newest locomotives are assigned to unit-trains for higher horsepower and high-tractive-effort – Rail company may provide rail equipment, however most costumers used owned or leased equipment – Utilization of dedicated cars can achieve 3 times miles-per- day over a general service car – High mileage repetitive trips produces excessive wear on equipment and structures

Unit-Train Operations Mini-trains – Economics dictates a unit-train be 50 or more cars – Short line rail roads with flexible rules and lower cost can operate 5-10 car units from loading to delivery point – Becomes a 500 to 1,500 ton truck – Operate under the tarriffs requiring “while-we-wait” loading and unloading – Can operate with a smaller train crew

Special Freight and Package Service Standard clearances and load limits are included in freight tariffs Most routes provide at least AAR “Plate B” clearance and 220,000 lbs weight for 8 wheeled cars Special arrangements need to be made if shipment is 20 feet above the rail, 11 ft 6 in wide, and 125 tons net weight

Special Freight and Package Service Railroad determines if any special requirements are needed – Low speed travel by freight or special trains – Scheduling to avoid trains on opposing tracks – Uncoupling levers inactivated on multi-car shipments Railcars of 16 axle or more when loaded require special train service and dedicated power unit and crew Most specialty cars are owned an operated by private companies (36 axle railcar is around 800 tons)

Schnabel Cars Depressed Center Flat Cars

Forwarders Forwarder: accepts LCL and LTL at a package rate and puts together into a car for a long haul. – Rail company has a full car – Forwarder makes a profit – Allow regular dispatch of cars Shipper Associations: same a forwarder except organized on a cooperative, nonprofit, and not allowed to advertise. Shipper Agent or Consolidator: act a middle man to manage movement of goods at a regular service for all mode of shipping.