Here it is. NS is currently experimenting with expedited LCL serivce using boxcars?... The current lane is Chicago-Atlanta-Miami.. The boxcars get loaded at a cross dock operated by NS Thoroughbred Direct Services. From there they ride on the headend of IM trains.. This will be something to watch! NS good luck!
https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/norfolk-southern-launches-expedited-less-than-carload-service/
NS seems to be approaching LCL slightly differently than the past. The hub points are limited and for now the shipper doesn't have a multiplicity of routes from which to choose. I would assume that the truck pickup and delivery is included in the rate.
This could work out well for certain products that weigh out long before they cube out. Think drywall, finished wood products, or even kitty litter.
Who would have thought that you could run regular freight cars on an intermodal train without the world exploding [/sarcasm].
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
SD70DudeThis could work out well for certain products that weigh out long before they cube out. Think drywall, finished wood products, or even kitty litter.
I'll opine that it's the other way around. A boxcar can have a lot more cubic capacity than a highway trailer. So it's better suited to low density frieght. But it can well handle all freight in intermodal service.
This sure is nice to see. I especially like the comment: “If you’re not failing, you’re not trying,”. If you insist on a 100% success rate you'll never try anything.
This a great idea.
greyhounds This sure is nice to see. I especially like the comment: “If you’re not failing, you’re not trying,”. If you insist on a 100% success rate you'll never try anything.
I agree. Failure at a railroad has usually meant marginalization or dismissal.
Just because you don't hit a home run on every single at-bat doesn't mean you aren't winning games.
I wonder what are the details of the of the last mile truck leg? Does NS partner with express companies? A Chicago company sending express to hundreds of cities is probably not going to remember that shipments can go to just two select cities by Norfolk Southern.
MidlandMikeI wonder what are the details of the of the last mile truck leg? Does NS partner with express companies? A Chicago company sending express to hundreds of cities is probably not going to remember that shipments can go to just two select cities by Norfolk Southern.
It's not express, it's freight. If NS saves them decent money, they'll remember.
Good news! I hope they serve their customers well.
As a former LTL traffic and sales guy, I think this is a great idea. The key will be to develop relationships with local LTL carriers to provide not only PU/DEL but also the marketing aspect in those local markets.
For instance, in Chicago there are a number of local logistics companies which provide a variety of services...LTL, TL, brokerage, partial TL, dedicated, etc. These carriers need to be incentivized to not only pickup and deliver the LTL freight but also find customers in which the lanes will work. Often the routing is open for the carrier to just simply get the freight to the destination.
This could be a nice movement for the rails...but they cannot give up in 3 months. This will take considerable time.
Ed
So how do I send a pallet of my stuff to Miami on this train?
ronrunnerSo how do I send a pallet of my stuff to Miami on this train?
Overmod ronrunner So how do I send a pallet of my stuff to Miami on this train? http://www.nscorp.com/content/nscorp/en/shipping-tools.html
ronrunner So how do I send a pallet of my stuff to Miami on this train?
http://www.nscorp.com/content/nscorp/en/shipping-tools.html
I think this link would be better for LTL services.
Thoroughbred Freight Transfer/LTL | Thoroughbred Direct Intermodal Services (ns-direct.com)
Jeff
By Jove, I think you're right!
To make it easier for Raymond, who may be on restricted bandwidth at the McDonalds or Kroger du jour, here are the contact links for him:
For more information, call TDIS Customer Service at 877.250.2535 or email TDISCustomerService@ns-direct.com. Click here to view our customer agreement (PDF) and submit your customer information (PDF) To register, please visit: https://cweb-tdis.ns-direct.com/#/orders
or email TDISCustomerService@ns-direct.com.
Click here to view our customer agreement (PDF) and submit your customer information (PDF)
To register, please visit: https://cweb-tdis.ns-direct.com/#/orders
New insulated boxcar on the market for food transport
https://www.gbrx.com/manufacturing/north-america-rail/boxcars/68-6-insulated-boxcar/
As one who sees the remaining Roadrailer trains go through my home area, could these be used in a similar way by arranging the train with first on-last off flexibility to drop off a set of trailers at specified destinations? As far as I know, nothing like that is done. It would have been a lot easier with the old trailers that had the railroad wheels as part of the chassis but maybe still possible.
PR
SD60MAC9500 New insulated boxcar on the market for food transport https://www.gbrx.com/manufacturing/north-america-rail/boxcars/68-6-insulated-boxcar/
One the items in the description is a diesel powered refrigeration unit.
Sounds like a reefer to me.
jeffhergert SD60MAC9500 New insulated boxcar on the market for food transport https://www.gbrx.com/manufacturing/north-america-rail/boxcars/68-6-insulated-boxcar/ One the items in the description is a diesel powered refrigeration unit. Sounds like a reefer to me. Jeff
That's a typo. Just a copy and paste of the description from their reefer unit without editing.
Here's diagrams of the insulated boxcar at the top with the reefer at the bottom.
dmikeeIs this really different than old time Railway Express?
Yes, it is. Express was handled on passenger trains. LCL was handled on freight trains. This is freight, not express. There is a difference.
The railroads were largely driven out of the LCL business by inane government regulation.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.