Would it be a good idea to buy tank cars and let the railroad use them. I read a article awhile back that the railroad owns no tank cars and that they are all individually owned. I could be wrong. Also I know that tank cars are the most troublesome railcar they have and the most expensive to maintain. So would it be a good idea?
How deep are your pockets?
Johnny
It's probably a bad idea. I'm curious to know how many investors lost their shirts during the boxcar leasing mania of the mid 1970's.
I read another rail forum where a member apparently owns a mish-mash of hundreds of gondolas for hauling scrap. I get the impression from reading his (and his friend's) postings there that he is a "hands on" owner/manager of this fleet and he and his employees are at least making a living from running them.
I do not know the particulars of the business, but I am fairly certain he did not just buy them and then sit back with his feet up, deligating work and responsibility to others, while the cash flows in.
If you KNOW business matters and are willing to put in the blood, sweat and tears as well as the cash and risk, then you MIGHT earn a living buying and leasing rail cars.
Obviously, "SOMEONE" is doing so with tank (and other types of) cars and they do not all seem to be going bankrupt in the process.
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
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