I am planning to model a section of an automobile assembly plant where the finished cars are loaded onto 89ft auto racks. I know that railroads used their own freight cars [when available] for shipping cargo. But AFAIK, the B&O never owned any auto racks - the only ones I've seen had TTX reporting marks, even though the rack itself had the B&O Capitol dome logo on it.
So my question is: Would a railroad like the B&O only use auto racks with its own logo when originating traffic? Or would it use whatever TTX cars were available in the vicinity?
-Ken in Maryland (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)
I believe auto racks are in a pool, and whatever roadname is available is used.
TTX owns the vast majority of the flat cars upon which the railroads mount today's enclosed auto racks, but in earlier times of open auto carriers they were owned by the railroads.
When did the B&O cease to exist as an independent railroad -- and did modern enclosed autoracks mounted on TTX flat cars exist when it was still in operation?
You may need to seek some of the very old Tyco open auto carriers instead of those mounted on TTX flats.
cacoleWhen did the B&O cease to exist as an independent railroad -- and did modern enclosed autoracks mounted on TTX flat cars exist when it was still in operation?
I believe that was sometime in the mid Eighties, around the time all the member railroads of CSXT got painted in CSX colors.
I model the B&O between 1969 and 1972, immediately before the Chessie era. This was the time when open racks were bolted onto TTX flatcars, the fully-enclosed auto racks were still a few years off.
So it appears that loading a TTX car with a Pennsy-decorated rack at a B&O-served assembly plant would be ok from a prototype practice point-of-view.
Thank you all for the replies!
Having worked for GM Canada in Oshawa for thirty one years, I would like to make one note. In Oshawa the cars and pickups were driven to Genauto shipping, I believe
by Genauto employees, and then loaded unto autoracks or transport auto carriers by Genauto people.
This would of course change nothing from a modelling perspective, except for the sign at the lot entrance.
I do not know, but a lot of other plants production headed to the Oshawa area had to be unloaded someplace?? as most car dealers would not be rail served.
Dave
From http://www.ttx.com/equipment/listingtype/automotive/multi-levels.aspx
"Bi- and Tri-Level Autorack Carriers The development of the autorack dates to the late 1950’s. Modern autoracks, along with the freight leasing Reload Pool have helped the railroads reach a 70% market share for the transportation of finished automobiles. Today’s autoracks are either Bi-levels initialed TTGX and carry 12 vehicles, or Tri-levels initialed ETTX that carry 18 autos. The cars are fully enclosed with end doors to protect the cargo, as opposed to the early freight leasing autoracks that were open-sided without a roof or doors. Typically, the railroads own the rack structure and TTX provides the underlying flat car, although there are a few exceptions to the rule. For instance, TTX’s equipment leasing pool includes a number of articulated Bi-Levels (initialed BTTX), which includes ownership of the entire car. The articulation (sharing of wheels by two sections of the car) helps increase efficiency and improves capacity from 12 to 18 vehicles."
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.