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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by jeaton And the cost figures to prove your assertion are found where? [/quote] Start with TRAINS March 2006 issue, the HAL article. Then use a comparative check of the load factor numbers provided by the author with a similar hypothesis plugging in the six axle concept. You can plug and play any number of hypothetical combinations. Try this one for size. According to the article, the 4 axle 286k car increases lading by "10 to 15 percent" over the 4 axle 263k car, while "weight on the rail grows by only 8.75 percent". Although not specifically mentioned in the article, the 286k has roughly 35 tons on each axle while the 263k has roughly 33 tons on each axle, and they are using 36" and 33" wheels respectively. With a six axle 300k car using 28" wheels and 25 tons per axle, you get the same "10 to 15 percent" lading increase over the 263k car, but actual weight on the rail decreases by 33 percent! The article also states that shortlines and regionals represent 30% of the rail network, and would need $7 billion to upgrade their tracks for the 35 -39 ton axles. From that you can infer that it has cost the other 70% of the rail network roughly $24 billion to upgrade their tracks for the 35 - 39 ton axles. $30+ billion total, soley for HAL! I can bet you it wouldn't cost a fraction of that if they had instead gone spread axle on their new higher lading freight car purchases/leases.
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