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[quote user="TomDiehl"][quote user="futuremodal"] (1) there is an inherent problem with long consist type cars, in that if one wheelset needs to be replaced, the whole unit has to be taken off line.  Since coal cars are prone to suffer abuse, it's easier to keep them as single cars, so that if one needs a mechanical fix, you only lose that one, not 12 others at the same time.  That's why we'll never see spine cars and well cars coming in 10 packs and 20 packs.  Whether the Trough Train concept would have as much load factor value if it came in a more operationally flexible 4 pack (like the Southern 100) as opposed to it's originally designed 13 pack I can't say. [/quote] Exactly the problem with the Iron Highway car. It was a 20 (or more) platform car. [/quote] So the original concept was 20 or so platforms per unit.  There is an inherent problem with long consist type units.  Ergo, we completely ditch all aspects of the innovation. Isn't that akin to throwing the baby out with the bathwater? The question to ask is whether the Iron Highway could have been modified into shorter sections and still retain the core advantages of the concept.  In this case, it appears the answer would be yes, e.g. shortening the units does not detract from the core concept.
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