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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)
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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 • 132- 145 tons per car http://farm4.static.flickr.com www.wsgs.uwyo.edu www.dogcaught.com
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 http://southern.railfan.net 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.
