Somewhat interesting film on GM Railroad logistics and evolution of the enclosed auto-rack car. Film was made in 1970 I think.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTtcPxSag50
Always featured GM Logistics was created to keep track of all the parts being shipped to the various Assembly Plants so as to keep the assembly lines moving and having the proper parts on hand to install into each vehicle proceeding down the line. With each car on the assembly line being construted to different specifications - having the right parts on hand was critical.
Keeping track of the outbound completed vehicles was a secondary use to the systems created to track the inbound parts. The inbound parts came from a number of GM manufacturing facilities as well as from a number of vendors.
On the B&O there was train 396 that originated in Flint, MI with a trainload of parts destined to the assembly plants in Baltimore, MD and Wilmington, DE. Out of Flint the train also carried parts for other GM assembly plants in the South which were set off in Willard, OH for dispatchment on other trains going to those destinations. 396 would depart Willard with 50-60 Wilmington cars on the head end of the train, a caboose and then 50-60 Baltimore cars. Upon arrival at Bayview yard in Baltimore, a yard crew would make a cut behind the caboose and the head end of the train would depart for Wilmington. The yard crew would then couple up to the Baltimore cars and move them to a staging point at Grays Yard in Sparrows Point, switching out 'shut down' cars, as identified by GM Logistics, at Penn Mary Yard for immediate delivery to the GM Baltimore plant.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
I think I've seen that video before. Still interesting - especially for the "vintage" motive power...
We lived on the C&O line between Plymouth and Flint, which meant we saw a lot of auto related traffic. During my 20 or so minute walk to school, C&O would often fleet three trains through town, all loaded with various auto related cars. I especially remember the gondolas full of frames.
Wish I'd known more about the operations at the time.
That one-time Pere Marquette line eventually became the CSX "Saginaw Sub," and is now operated by Lake States Railway.
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...
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