Former Conrail question....

[cpbloom]

On Conrail which trains had the higher priority, "MAIL" trains or "TV" trains?

[cpbloom]

no answer yet......,top

[Anonymous]

cpbloom [:)]

Sorry I can't answer your question [:(]

Welcome to the forums [;)]

I too would like to ask a Conrail question. The more people see this thread the more chance both question will be answered. [^]

Here goes . . . . . . . . .

Months ago there was mention in the forums the name . . . . Conrail Boyz, or something like that. I kinda got the idea this was a railroad theft ring. [:(] [:(!] Am I right? Can anyone shed any light on either question? [?] (Years ago I saw a COPS episode that featured Conrail Railroad Police. I wi***here had been more railroad police episodes on COPS.)

[Anonymous]

Well here is an answer to these questions. I think i have a pretty good idea but if anyone knows more they can add to it. As far as priority the MAIL trains had tops over VAN trains. I dont remember too many being around for a long time. I know CSX still carries some mail on the Van trains over the Boston and Albany line still. The second question is in reference to a gang that was taken into custody in New Jersey near Weehawken that would pull the uncoupling pins on the cars to seperate the train while it was going at slow speed. They would then to break into the boxcars and containers and turn them from loads to empties. I knew a conductor when i was working in Selkirk yard and he said they unloaded a boxcar of beer before he could walk back to where the car was in the train.

[jrw249]

Also got a boxcar load of Sony Electronics worth over a million!!!!!!!

[JoeKoh]

the mail trains had the higher priority.i have also seen a program on the discovery channel about cops along the mexican border.peoplle would stop trains and break into containers for whatever they could get.
stay safe
joe

[cpbloom]

Thanks for the answers. I remember at another railroad website someone had provided a link to a story about the "conrail boyz"; it was a theft ring busted by the Norfolk Southern police in the Fall. I actually found a news story on this theft ring; the link is below.



http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20030712/UTRAIN/TPInternational/TopStories

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cpbloom

Thanks for the answers. I remember at another railroad website someone had provided a link to a story about the "conrail boyz"; it was a theft ring busted by the Norfolk Southern police in the Fall. I actually found a news story on this theft ring; the link is below.



http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20030712/UTRAIN/TPInternational/TopStories

cpbloom [:)]

Thanks for the post and the link. I am amazed that this ring could go on for 10 years. If I were to ever do anything like that I would get caught the very first time.

To anyone who has not clicked on the link . . . . . you should read this story.

[Anonymous]

From what I remember from my days with the railroad, was the mail trains had priority. Then came the passenger trains. Everday a crew would take a cut of cars down toward the Chicago River Industries, where they would switch cars in and out of where ever. Then when they were ready to take that train to the Blue Island railyard of the I.H.B.R.R., the dispatcher would then hold all traffic eastbound, until THAT train came by my tower, and I had him all lined up to go. After that, everything went back to normal.
Ralph Zimmer former Operator/Switchtender for the IHB!

[Anonymous]

Ralph Z [:)]

Welcome to the forums. [;)]

Thanks for your info. We all love to hear railroad stories so share all you want. [:D]

[Rick Gates]

The last mail train I hauled for Penn Central/Conrail from Wash. D.C. to N.Y.C. was discontinued Shortly after Conrail was formed in 1976 or maybe 1977. It ran at night and had priorty over TV trains. After that the mail bags were sorted at the Post Office Branch 1st and then the bags were loaded on the bagagge cars of passenger trains.

[Anonymous]

The Mail Train would make more money than the TV

[DTomajko]

On Conrail, the MAIL designation was a throwback to the NYC days when it actually carried a considerable amount of mail traffic.On Conrail it did not automatically give a train priority,for example,the coast-to-coast TVLA run with Sante Fe had priority over all others across the system. On CR, importance was granted according to its endpoints and not necessarily given a MAIL designation. Also,the US Mail carried on today's TV trains is not usually of the letter & package kind but consists of bulk mail, containers & supplies, and other lower class mail. It is still treated by the railroad as very important and subject to extreme inquiry if there are any delays to quick handling.The majority of priority shipments belong to UPS or its Logistics division,along with any of the truckload or perishible haulers that want to pay for expedited servive. Conrail and successor NS give priority to piggyback and roadrailers,then to the stacks and everything else. Both also run enough TV trains between Chicago and Harrisburg/Rutherford & New Jersey that if you miss one train, another will be leaving later in the day. The mid-point terminals like Toledo, Cleveland, or Pittsburgh are served twice a day,(morning & evening),and for special occasions or mistakes other passing trains will setout or pickup when needed.Good luck and stay safe.