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Union pacific flatcar with ATSF trailer in a BNSF intermodal train?

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  • Member since
    March 2018
  • 688 posts
Union pacific flatcar with ATSF trailer in a BNSF intermodal train?
Posted by BNSF UP and others modeler on Monday, February 11, 2019 3:45 PM

I have a con-cor ho scale union pacific flatbed/trailer car that I am fixing up. The problem is, I only have matching con-cor trailers in ATSF scheme, and my mainline power is mostly BNSF at this time. Could I put an ATSF trailer on the UP car and put that in my intermodal train, the car acting as a lease? My current BNSF intermodal train consists of 4 well cars, 7 santa fe fuel foilers from con-cor (still need the last 3) 2 currently undecorated athearn impak cars, and possibly that UP car with an ATSF trailer. The question is, will putting the UP car in be unrealistic?

I'm beginning to realize that Windows 10 and sound decoders have a lot in common. There are so many things you have to change in order to get them to work the way you want.

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Monday, February 11, 2019 4:01 PM

You could patch out the UP car to BNSF, or better yet to ATSF, so it blends in with the other ATSF cars, as the merger took place  in 1995, I think everything at first was patched, and to see some fuel foilers and impacks towards the end of their service, (fuel foilers started in mid 70's, impack cars late 70's into the 80's)  all labeled for the ATSF would look fine.

Mike.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Omaha, NE
  • 10,621 posts
Posted by dehusman on Monday, February 11, 2019 4:27 PM

BNSF UP and others modeler
Could I put an ATSF trailer on the UP car and put that in my intermodal train, the car acting as a lease?

In the United States, railroads do what is called "interchange".  That is they move shipments across the country over different roads by exchanging cars.  Pretty much any car in the US could end up on any major railroad.  TOFC and COFC is completely independent of the car it rides on.  Any car could have any trailer on it(as long as it fits).

In addition, rail cars are "pooled".  Each railroad might contribute xx number of cars to a particular service or lane and the railroads providing that service or lane use the cars indiscriminately in that service.

All of this is not really a "lease" per se.  Its pooled service.  The participation, the number of cars is dependent on the mileage or carloadings or contract for the service.

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: California - moved to North Carolina 2018
  • 4,422 posts
Posted by DSchmitt on Monday, February 11, 2019 5:11 PM

The only problem I can see is the equipment might not all be from the same era. 

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.

  • Member since
    March 2018
  • 688 posts
Posted by BNSF UP and others modeler on Monday, February 11, 2019 7:10 PM

Well, I think they still haul the santa fe trailers I'm using, so it should be fine. I just need to buy some BNSF well cars and spine cars to give the train more definite era. 

I'm beginning to realize that Windows 10 and sound decoders have a lot in common. There are so many things you have to change in order to get them to work the way you want.

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • 869 posts
Posted by NHTX on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 10:16 PM

     You may still find Santa Fe trailers but they are very long in the tooth here in 2019.  There were no 53'6" UP TOFC cars in the BNSF era except those from some HO manufacturers.

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