I know next to nothing about shipping things on trains.
Who could I contact about shipping an enclosed 24' automobile trailer on a flatbed train car from VA to MA? Can I just call a railroad? If so, which one(s)? If I can't get this done just by calling a railroad, who do I call? I am an end user, not a regular shipper, so this is a one-time shipping that I'm interested in and I do not own any rail cars or have any crews or shippers working for me. I just want to pay something and have the item show up on a flatbed car somewhere here in MA, say between Worcester and Boston.
I prefer to deal with one party and not get bogged down in railroad minutia (switching, etc, that I have seen mentioned in some other posts).
Thanks for any help because right now I am completely lost with this.
audioresearchI know next to nothing about shipping things on trains. Who could I contact about shipping an enclosed 24' automobile trailer on a flatbed train car from VA to MA? Can I just call a railroad? If so, which one(s)? If I can't get this done just by calling a railroad, who do I call? I am an end user, not a regular shipper, so this is a one-time shipping that I'm interested in and I do not own any rail cars or have any crews or shippers working for me. I just want to pay something and have the item show up on a flatbed car somewhere here in MA, say between Worcester and Boston. I prefer to deal with one party and not get bogged down in railroad minutia (switching, etc, that I have seen mentioned in some other posts). Thanks for any help because right now I am completely lost with this.
Hire a truck and driver to move your trailer.
Railroads don't want this kind of business and have limited if any facilities to do it. If you have car(s) inside your trailer I doubt that the trailer has securement points able to restrian the vehicle from switching impacts once the trailer is secured on a rail car.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
I have found when shipping a car transmission to Oregon that most trucking companies will not deal with a private individual. They are only interested in those with corporate accounts. I had to ship that by UPS ground, they were the only ones who would touch it. Ask a friend to drive your trailer to Mass. and pay a fair amount.
Get a hold of Uship they will find a power only carrier in your area that can move your trailer for you for a fairly reasonable amount.
54light15Ask a friend to drive your trailer to Mass. and pay a fair amount.
Agreed - It's a one day drive each way - a trustworthy friend with a suitably sized and suitably equipped truck should be able to move it for you. Maybe they can make it a mini-vacation with the better half or something, too.
Or, follow Shadow and Balt's advice - that takes the liability off your friend...
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
BaltACD audioresearch I know next to nothing about shipping things on trains. Who could I contact about shipping an enclosed 24' automobile trailer on a flatbed train car from VA to MA? Can I just call a railroad? If so, which one(s)? If I can't get this done just by calling a railroad, who do I call? I am an end user, not a regular shipper, so this is a one-time shipping that I'm interested in and I do not own any rail cars or have any crews or shippers working for me. I just want to pay something and have the item show up on a flatbed car somewhere here in MA, say between Worcester and Boston. I prefer to deal with one party and not get bogged down in railroad minutia (switching, etc, that I have seen mentioned in some other posts). Thanks for any help because right now I am completely lost with this. Hire a truck and driver to move your trailer. Railroads don't want this kind of business and have limited if any facilities to do it. If you have car(s) inside your trailer I doubt that the trailer has securement points able to restrian the vehicle from switching impacts once the trailer is secured on a rail car.
audioresearch I know next to nothing about shipping things on trains. Who could I contact about shipping an enclosed 24' automobile trailer on a flatbed train car from VA to MA? Can I just call a railroad? If so, which one(s)? If I can't get this done just by calling a railroad, who do I call? I am an end user, not a regular shipper, so this is a one-time shipping that I'm interested in and I do not own any rail cars or have any crews or shippers working for me. I just want to pay something and have the item show up on a flatbed car somewhere here in MA, say between Worcester and Boston. I prefer to deal with one party and not get bogged down in railroad minutia (switching, etc, that I have seen mentioned in some other posts). Thanks for any help because right now I am completely lost with this.
+1 You can find a guy for a buck or two a mile. I had to have my travel trailer towed back to the factory a few years back. A good web search will turn up lots.
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
The enclosed trailer manufacturers don't ship their products from their factories to their distributors by rail - it is all done with over the road specialized carriers. Depending on size they can haul multiple trailers per trip.
To the Orig. Poster(audioresearcher):
You might check with a travel trailer retailer in you destination area. They might have a contact that could move your trailer to your destination (?)
You might be able to 'hire' a vehicle capable of pulling your trailer from Va to Ma(?). A professional mover will most likely not be cheap, but would be insurable for your move. Insurance for the move, being the operable mechanism. Gas and tolls will be most likely a reasonable extra cost in the East Coast area.
I'd be very careful if approaching a driver in a local truck stop that might offer to pull your trailer. My guess would be to go hire a U-Haul down in Va., and pull it to Mass. over a long week-end. Good Luck!
Okay, I gotta ask, if you are buying an enclosed car trailer, I'm going to assume(yeah, I KNOW that's a dangerous thing to do) that you have a vehicle capable of hauling it, and are competent to haul it yourself, WHy not just go get it yourself? that would have to be the most cost effective way of doing it.
Doug
May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails
audioresearchWho could I contact about shipping an enclosed 24' automobile trailer on a flatbed train car from VA to MA?
Okay, I'm gonna go way out on a limb here and actually answer the question you asked, instead of dredging up personal opinion trying to prove you don't know what you're talking about (that base seems to be already well covered )
Call TNT Transport services http://www.tnt-inc.com/
I can't promise you that they will use rail, but they do do the city to city bit, perhaps they might just tow your trailer.
I used TNT back when I moved from Atlanta to Denver in 1985, and they did in fact put my auto on a rail flat car for the journey. Did a decent job too, but they were highly impatient when they came to pick up my vehicle, so be ready when they say they'll be there.
Been a long time, but if memory serves I think TNT stands for "Truck aNd Train"
Hope this helps
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