I've noticed a lot of the photos I've seen of older open Auto Rack cars in maifest freights, yet most cars are transported in Unit trains. When did the shift to Unit Auto Trains take place?
I seen unit auto rack trains in the late 1970s or the early 1980s.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Ive seen solid trains of auto racks, loaded and empty here in my area on the UP for at least the last 15 years. Don't know if the UP considers them 'unit trains' but to any observer they very well could be.
Back in Conrail's early days I often saw open auto racks in long strings, but in most cases mixed with other freight.
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
For vehicles assembled in the US, the factories have a continuous output. For vehicles delivered by ship, there is a sudden large delivery. The latter may account for what appear to be unit trains.
Ed
The classic tri-level open autorack dates from about 1961 and were purchased be a lot of railroads at that time, so long cuts of them would have probably appeared then. Thee were preceeded by other designs not in as wide use. Prior to autoracks most autos were transported in automobile box cars, probably in large cuts. Equipped with moveable racks 4 autos could be squeezed in into a car. Loading/unloading was from the side through double doors, was slow and great care needed to not damage the autos. Some auto boxes had large door on one end.
1959-1965 Southerm Pacific often carried autos in highway auto carrier trailers on SP Clejan spline piggyback cars. 4 autos per carrier, two carriers per car. They operated from a large GM plant in Van Nuys.
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When I think of "Unit Trains" I think of coal trains. As for auto racks, I think the more accurate term would be "blocks" of autoracks rathr than a unit train of autoracks. Thats not to say that there haven't been unit train moves (and I am not knowledgable about train moves in the past 15-20 years), but more commonly autoracks moved in blocks in the 60's, 70,s and 80's. Depending on what RR and route, folks here who are knowledgeable about those Railroads, frames and or routes can expound in more detail about them.
I am interested in modeling auto traffic on the D&RGW thru the Rockies. One particular train that ran more or less as a unit train from Detroit MI to Mipitas CA. It was unit in the sense that it was a dedicated auto parts train for Ford run on a contracted schedule across the host railroads, a schedule which shifted routes back and forth every 3 months; the idea being that the schedule would be maintained via this form of friendly competition. While this trains did haul a dedicated set of pooled auto freight cars (50', 60' and 86' box cars and auto racks) other freight would sometimes be added by the host RR to fill out the train. Sometimes another dedicated auto train, the GM ARRO, would be combined with the Ford FAST, usually to return the empties east to the part plants. There is a great article in on of my magazines about the FAST and ARRO.
The Ford FAST was a dedicated auto train which began in 1967 and ran until 1982 (which is when the Milpitas plant closed in California).
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Dedicated auto trains started back in the 1980's, 1990's. They techinically aren't "unit" trains since they don't all go to the same customer on one waybill.
They became more common as the "mixing center" concept and large hub auto ramps became common. Facilities large enough that they could handle unloading an entire train.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
I recall seeing few autorack trains in the late 70s..
These auto rack trains could be called a unit train under the unit train terms..You see auto rack trains travel from the manufacturer to a mixing center where they are unloaded and reloaded by car model as per distention and some can be loaded on to truck car carriers for local dealership delivery.
These autorack trains heads for another mixing pool where they are unloaded from rail cars onto car carriers for delivery to the dealerships.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
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Although it might depend on the railroad and where you are on that system, auto rack trains may not have all the same manufacturer's vehicles. Some might, some might not.
A few issues back, Trains had a picture of UP's AGBMI, Autos-Gibson Yard (IHB) to Milpitas, Calif. (the caption was wrong on it's destination. Without looking up the issue, I think it said the destination was Mira Loma.) That train often works a few places enroute, picking up or setting out blocks of auto racks on it's way to California.
So by just looking at it, yes it looks like a unit train. But in reality, it isn't a "true" unit train. I'm sure there are other similar examples.
Jeff
jeffhergertAlthough it might depend on the railroad and where you are on that system, auto rack trains may not have all the same manufacturer's vehicles. Some might, some might not.
As example the mixing center at Fostoria,Ohio handles Fords.Several rack trains terminates and originates there.This center is service by NS and CSX.
One could rightfully call these rack trains unit trains simply because they originate at Ford and terminates at Fostoria but,it doesn't matter..
I know CR had a "Honda Transfer" back in the 90s that operated between Marysville,Oh to Honda's Marion storage(IIRC around 35-40 miles.).Honda is located on the Scottslawn Secondary.