During the winter months I have a nice view of I-77 out my back window. On some day I observe a steady stream of shipping containers heading in both directions while other days there are just a few. I assume that these are going to the NS facility just south of Cleveland or to CSX Collinwood. Is there a specific time window that these container must arrive at the intermodal facility? And if so, how much of small of a time window?
Thanks
Yes. There is a cut-off time you have to be in the terminal in order to be lifted for a specific train. Typically, it's about two hours ahead, but if your name is UPS....
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
What if the container shows up "too" early? Is there a holding area?
thanks
rluke What if the container shows up "too" early? Is there a holding area? thanks
Not everyone can show up at the cut off time - arriving containers are 'dropped' in a parking slot along with their chassis and then loaded to rail cars when necessary.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
BaltACD rluke What if the container shows up "too" early? Is there a holding area? thanks Not everyone can show up at the cut off time - arriving containers are 'dropped' in a parking slot along with their chassis and then loaded to rail cars when necessary.
In fact, there are some rather sophisticated computer systems that try to optimize where to park and when to load.
Depends on the level of service that's desired and being paid for, too -most railroads have 'tiers' for that - "next train out" vs. "any time today" or "as long as it gets there in the next 5 days", etc. Empties - which would be about half the volume you see - presumably go as "standby", on a "space available"l basis.
- Paul North.
Thanks to all for the replies. Curiosity is satisfied.
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