Has anyone noticed if rail traffic has increased since June 09? My exposure to rail traffic is sporadic and limited so I don’t get a good grasp of what is happening, but it seems like there is a slight uptick in rail movements. I make this judgment from what I see in the northwest US, Washington State.
Is Rail Traffic Increasing?
- Thread starter jkinzel
- Start date
Increasing?! What!?
When I was in Trempealeau, Wisconsin back in '04, there had to be at least 50 trains a day. Now, I spent a whole day outside railfanning and only saw 18.
18 Trains in One Day.
It was torture! On the other hand, there is only freight scheduled on the BNSF St. Croix Sub. Alas, Amtrak still runs on there from time to time when our friends on the other side of the Mississippi (CP) has to reroute him through. But that skips Red Wing and Winona. Yada yada.
But to conclude, I don't think freight is increasing in the Midwest, but passenger service is.
Steve
When I was in Trempealeau, Wisconsin back in '04, there had to be at least 50 trains a day. Now, I spent a whole day outside railfanning and only saw 18.
18 Trains in One Day.
It was torture! On the other hand, there is only freight scheduled on the BNSF St. Croix Sub. Alas, Amtrak still runs on there from time to time when our friends on the other side of the Mississippi (CP) has to reroute him through. But that skips Red Wing and Winona. Yada yada.
But to conclude, I don't think freight is increasing in the Midwest, but passenger service is.
Steve
It could be that traffic is shifting in that, some products are gaining while others are losing. I'd argue that as a whole, traffic has definitely decreased but in some specific areas, has increased. I read somewhere that they think oil traffic by rail will increase soon. I would also deduce that products such as ethanol would increase as well.
:wave:
Gisa ^^
brickbuilder711
yard yobs
In Florida, CSX has commissioned an ethanol train from up in Nebraska to Winter Haven, FL for interchange to FMID, the Florida Midland Railroad. There it is taken to a central facility where it's all transloaded to truck for Tampa. CSX, like others, has reported an uprise in carloads by train recently, and it also shows with their stock rising. FEC and CSX have also contrated a rock interchange service that happens every two to three weeks, likely to become a bit more frequent. Meanwhile, FEC trains have been gaining size lately, they were real short and some trains cut or combined for the day, but looks like there are a large amount of trains surpassing 10,000 feet in length of train. We are really down to the bare bones in FEC, eight trains a day south of Fort lauderdale, with 2 more on certain days, and 10 trains daily north of there, not counting the locals.
Seems to be picking up around here also. I live about 3 blocks from the rail line here and have been hearing more trains go by. My brother in law works for
UP out of El Paso. He's been on furlough for the last 8 months and he went back to work 1 August.
Also the FRA has had a rule change that has affected trains now. They used to leave the guys out on the trains after they reached the 12 hour rule for a long time, 4-5 hours. Now when the 12 hours are up, they have to have a crew ready and waiting.
UP out of El Paso. He's been on furlough for the last 8 months and he went back to work 1 August.
Also the FRA has had a rule change that has affected trains now. They used to leave the guys out on the trains after they reached the 12 hour rule for a long time, 4-5 hours. Now when the 12 hours are up, they have to have a crew ready and waiting.
brickbuilder711
yard yobs
FEC had to restructure their schedule due to the 12 hour work day mandate.
Meanwhile, heard good size reports, and today, there are 12 to 14 trains circulating FEC, a maximum for this low. A couple of today's trains have 10000' or more. "Keep em coming"
Meanwhile, heard good size reports, and today, there are 12 to 14 trains circulating FEC, a maximum for this low. A couple of today's trains have 10000' or more. "Keep em coming"