Norfolk Southern--Recent Television Ad

[samfp1943]

   Some time back there was a thread with comments about NS's piggyback ad that utilized an animated tree to relieve highway congestion.                                                         

   Several times over the last couple of week-ends there was an NS ad that ran--it showed a string of animated gasoline cans against a background of one of NS's newer units pulling a string of doublestack well cars with containers. It seemed to be a play about relieving highway congestion by utilizing piggyback transportation.  The aspect that I found to be unusual was that NS's Triple Crown being an in-house subsidiary, NS's ad folks chose to use Trailer-Train equipment to make their statement, rather than their own Triple Crown Roadrailers.

I was wondering if anyone else who has seen the ad had similar thoughts?

[nanaimo73]

That is an interesting point, Sam.

It looks like 1 engine and only 8 containers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zci46As5Cn8

[oltmannd]

Interesting point.  My only guess is that rustling up some, nice clean, Triple Crown boxes would have been difficult.  Triple Crown doesn't have much extra equipment floating around.  A double stack train is a pretty imposing and efficient piece of machinery in it's own right - and to John Q Public, the message of the ad wouldn't change.

[Modelcar]

....All comments are interesting on the NS add....Have not seen it in our area.  Sure like the fact we're starting to see some RR's use the media to make the point of removing frieght from already crowded freeways {especially worse in some areas}, and encourage it be transported by the alternative way....Rail...!

[nanaimo73]

Quentin, would like like to see Junior driving a black and white Norfolk Southern Hendricks car next season ?

[GLENMARY]

Having been in advertising and marketing all my life, I think it is a mute point as to the equiptment that was used in the tv ad. The real body of the message is fuel savings on the NS. There is also an ad that deals with the enviornment.

[Modelcar]

.....Hey, that would be a good advertising medium for NS.....Sure hope Little E can do better next year.

[samfp1943]

That is an interesting point, Sam.

It looks like 1 engine and only 8 containers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zci46As5Cn8

Quentin:

       Check the above link in Dale's post, you'll see the ad run...

                 Had no idea it could be found on YouTube!  Thanks, Dale!

[joemcspadden]

NS may also be planning to use these ads to solidify public support
for the two intermodal corridors they are developing. Both projects
involve a substantial amount of both state and federal tax money.

Joe

[inch53]

I think I seen the add on PBS before it made it on regular TV as one of the funding contributors. It does get the point across in a short time, the efficiency of shipping by rail vs truck.

Now if we can just get Amtrak and commuter lines to add more routes and push them, to help with the rest of the traffic.

[Modelcar]

 

.....Yes, Sam...I did watch the link from Dale.  Bring on more of them....Anything to help get more on the rails.  We still have a wide network of good rail routes in this country, so I really think it's a " no brainer" to continue to work more of it onto the rail system and unload the interstates a bit.

[Train Guy 3]

If the youtube link doesn't work try looking on nscorp.com. I know NS has a section on their commericals both old ones and new ones. I think there is even a behind the scenes look at the making of the "lonely gallon" commercial.

9/11/01 -9/11/07  Six years gone but memories never forgotten. USA!

 

[Modelcar]

....The "gas can" commerical for NS is running here now.  Saw it earlier this evening on an Indy station.

[JSGreen]

That is an interesting point, Sam.

It looks like 1 engine and only 8 containers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zci46As5Cn8

Thanks for posting the link...

The consist does look like a single 5 well carset...probably a special train set up just for the commercial.  

One wonders weather they chose the double stack because it appears more effecient than a road railer/triple crown consist...that is, a higher density of boxes...although the triple crown would reinforce the "Get the trucks off of the road" theme a bit stronger.  I disagree that to the general public its all the same...showing them the trucks being pulled by a single engine would be stronger than assuming they will make that connection themselves...to people not connected with the industry, they may not make the connection that container traffic/intermodal can actually replace truck traffic...but showing them an engine actually pulling road boxes means you are not counting on them to think about the connection...

Yes, this statement does say a lot about my opinions of the average television viewer...

[Modelcar]

....Last few years, the Triple Crown trains passing thru Muncie here have 2 six axle engines for power.....Guess the longer 140 trailers or so have made that necessary.

[Anonymous]

140 trailers huh?

I cannot count that high... but I guess 3600 ton on that engine set give or take a few rolls of unneeded toilet paper loads. That right there be revenue that no Trucker or Fleet is getting.

Wife and I laughed at the commerical. They are cute and funny with those Gas Cans. What they should have done is deflated a gas tanker truck instead of those little bitty gascans.

[Modelcar]

.....At least the RR's are finally starting to do a bit of PR work to let the unknown public they are still out there hauling freight, and  would like to help the highway congestion by taking along some more of those boxes and or trailers.....

[JoeKoh]

Modelcar

we saw a triplecrown train yesterday with 2 engines eastbound on the nkp line between latty and melrose.(ohio 613).one had a derailment awhile back it had washers and dryers.

stay safe

joe

[oltmannd]

NS may also be planning to use these ads to solidify public support
for the two intermodal corridors they are developing. Both projects
involve a substantial amount of both state and federal tax money.

Joe

They just rolled out their plans for the "Crescent Corridor" the public earlier this year.  This dovetails perfectly with that.

[Murphy Siding]

     I'd have to believe, that the train cars were picked on a basis of what looks pretty in a TV commercial.  I am somewhat surprised that there wasn't a little red caboose on the end.

[Modelcar]

....Joe, you've probably seen me write of Triple Crown hitting the ground here several times in Muncie a couple of years ago.  Spilled open several trailers with all kinds of merchandise.  Lately though, every thing {for them}, has been trouble free as far as I know as they roll thru here.