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Mini Intermodal Yards?
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There are some applications where a mini ramp might make sense, but there is a challenge for the RRs. <br /> <br />Lets say that the customer is a receiver of goods, like a WalMart Distrubution Center. Those hundreds of trailers are coming from hundreds of places. At some point or possibly at multiple points, the RR would have to consolidate these many trailers coming from many locations, into one train to get to the customer's ramp. <br /> <br />This get more complicated with the 3 pack or 5 pack cars used these days. If the RR has a 5 pack of car of trailers but only 3 are destined to the customer ramp and two are not, they have to do some rework. Then, once they get the train all sorted out and consolidated, they need a switch job or local job to get it to the customer. The delays and rework from all this would likely mean that it would be higher cost and slower than just using a rail ramp in the region. <br /> <br />The alternative is the customer that ships outbound. You have the same problem in reverse. Can they load a 3-5 pack car / cars / train all for the same destination? If not, again the RR has to take it somewhere, rework it and add parts to trains going to the respective locations = cost and delays. <br /> <br />If a shipper / recvr could initiate or receive a substantial block or full train which goes point to point (all same orgin and destination), then you might be able to make it work (basic units train.) But then you've got to have the volume to justify the lift equipment and you're going to have to pay car-hire on the flats or well cars while they sit on your siding. Car hire on some all purpose well cars runs $100 per day. There again, eating up the saving. Tough issues. <br />- - Stack
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