BNSF,UPS looking into using roadrailers to further....

[chicagorails]

Willow Springs,Il. UPS to start trial runs using roadrailers out of Willow Springs,Illinois distribution center terminal later this spring. Officials saying that high fuel costs, with no end in sight prompted the decision.Willow Springs was selected as the first train consist starting point beacause more packages are handled there than any place in US.BNSF will provide services to West Coast using roadrailers provided by NS as there is a 25 % decrease in auto traffic using NS roadrailers to haul auto parts.

[SchemerBob]

This sounds interesting. Now maybe I'll see RoadRailers more often around where I live. It would also be simpler using RoadRailers for truck trailers, without all those flatcars. The trains might be a little lighter without those flatcars, too. In Hannibal, MO, I saw a GIANT NS RoadRailer train, probably longer than a mile, led by just one locomotive! Maybe the train was empty? (it was heading towards KC)

IIRC, didn't Swift have a RoadRailer train on the BNSF a few years ago? Seems to me I saw a picture of one in a 2002 issue of Trains magazine.

[BNSF_GP60M]

BNSF did run a Swift Roadrailer train a few years ago. They seemed to come by the house on the weekends.

[VPayne]

April Fools?

[Soo 6604]

April Fools?

Gotta be careful what you read today. I'll check on this tomorrow...lol

It would seem logical, Ive been at Tolono on the NS and seen some very long roadrailers consisting of over 135 trailers. I think the longest was around 150. I wonder how long these would be once they get it started? (if not an April fools joke)

Paul

[t.winx]

Just Curious. How would roadrailers be more fuel efficient than traditional tofc? A lighter train maybe?

 

[beaulieu]

Lighter and lower.

 

[rrnut282]

Currently 150 is the maximum number of roadrailers per train.  Not sure if this is an FRA mandate or NS policy.  I remember when it was 75 and NS ran two or more per day from FWA to ATL.  Now it's usually just one running anywhere from 90 to 150.  Typical train weight is 1700 tons, so a single unit can handle it.  On the ex-Wabash line out of FWA, you see more Triple Crown trains with a single unit than you do with two.

[rrnut282]

Just Curious. How would roadrailers be more fuel efficient than traditional tofc? A lighter train maybe?

 

At minimum (and maximum) loading, you have only one railroad truck per trailer with a roadrailer.  TFOC needs the body of the flatcar with two trucks for every one trailer at minimum loading.  At maximimum, you get two trailers for every railroad car and two railroad trucks.  The coupler-mate at the front of the train doesn't negate that advantage.  So, yes it is a lighter train, by far.

[RABEL]

UPS Trailers are specialized,I fail to see how Roadrailers could be used.

UPS is also not suffering high fuel prices,the Fuel Surcharge covers that aspect.

[al-in-chgo]

I've seen a lot of RoadRailers go through Folkston and they seem to be in great shape and working fine. 

Look forward for them going thru Rochelle??  - a.s.

 

[route_rock]

  Nothing in the genral notices in the Hicago Div about new road railers. Would have o qualify the con and engineer to run said equipment I do believe, and I have seen nothing on this yet.Plus be a pain in the rear trying to get roadrailers togther while still getting out your money trains. Willow isnt that big of a place really and loading it up with a ton of NS 53 footers would be just nuts.

  Also unless the road railers were set on in Cicero Al this would be a strictly Transcon move I would think,But who knows.

[rrnut282]

Roadrailers only need a surface flush with the railhead to build a train.  A single track will work in a pinch.  Triple Crown started their hub in Fort Wayne with only a three-track "yard" and about 60' of pavement alongside.

[ndbprr]

Are there any FRA or AAR guidlines regarding maximum length?  I would think that trailers are meant to be pulled not stretched and there has to be a strucural limit to what they can take.  Also, how do the brakes work?  Does the train relay soley on loco braking capability?

[Modelcar]

....As for size of Triple Crown trains....Thru Muncie here, I've observed many at 140 or so trailers.  Braking appears to be normal like any train.  Brake hoses connect each trailer {boggie}along the train length.

On the trains with that quanity of trailers the power generally is two 6 axle engines.

[WSOR 3801]

The trailers are beefed up for RoadRailer service.  I believe the current limit is 150 trailers on a train.

There are two air lines running throughout the train.  The normal air brake line, and a main res line.  Not sure if the bogies have air reservoirs, so some source of air is needed for the brake, and maybe the air ride springs.  The air brakes work good, maybe a little too good, so the usual method of train handling is with dynamics.