Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding Interesting-I didn't know that CN owned EWS. I'm surprised it hasn't been *assimilated* with buckets of red paint.[;)]
QUOTE: Originally posted by Simon Reed [ Tulyar 15. I'm still a member of the ITG and you may have had to put up with my stewarding on various tours in the late 80's and early 90's - when we still need your financial support can you think of a good reason for not still being a member?? E-mail me if there are any issues because I'm still quite involved.
QUOTE: Also, up until the 1990's Irish Rail bought its carriages from British makers - examples of BR Mk2 and 3's are still in use though I'm not sure if any of the steam heated Cravens carriages are left.
QUOTE: Originally posted by beaulieu QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding Interesting-I didn't know that CN owned EWS. I'm surprised it hasn't been *assimilated* with buckets of red paint.[;)] Murphy, you didn't recognize the old Soo Line paint scheme, with the school colors of the University of Minnesota on the EWS diesels? What other railroads use that scheme, humm? Think Wisconsin Central Ltd. That is how CN came to own a controlling interest in EWS. Ed Burkhardt chose the paint scheme. So every railroad that Ed has been involved in uses that scheme. Montreal, Maine & Atlantic RR Estee Raudtee (in Estonia) Rail Polska (in Poland). What color scheme does Tranz Rail (New Zealand) use? Ever think you would see that scheme on Russian built diesels?
QUOTE: If CN didn't spin off EWS when they bought WC, they must have thought it had some potential to either make money, or sell off at a later date, at a profit?
QUOTE: Funny, that there wouldn't be a big uproar over foreign ownership of a British railroad, but maybe that just an Americanized perception.
QUOTE: Originally posted by owlsroost QUOTE: If CN didn't spin off EWS when they bought WC, they must have thought it had some potential to either make money, or sell off at a later date, at a profit? From memory, CN were interested in offloading their share of EWS at the time of the WC takeover but there weren't any takers at a sensible price - so they decided to turn it around first. QUOTE: Funny, that there wouldn't be a big uproar over foreign ownership of a British railroad, but maybe that just an Americanized perception. Basically, UK railfreight had been a barely-profitable or money-loosing business for years, so I think most people here reckoned that the consortium led by Ed Burkhardt was the best chance to turn it around (given Ed's track record and enthusiasm). Tony (reaching for a Pink Floyd album as an antidote to Johnny Cash...)
QUOTE: Originally posted by cogload You can have hauls of less than 10 miles which make cash if the tonnage supports it and the flow is structured properly.
QUOTE: Originally posted by Simon Reed The commodity that immediately springs to mind is coal. Here in (cold, rainy) Yorkshire we had until recently the huge Selby pit. Nearly all of it's output was fed underground to a place called Gascoigne Wood (pronounced Gas-coin) then taken by rail to power plants locally - Ferrybridge, Drax and Eggborough. Ferrybridge, without looking it up, would be around 5 miles by rail from Gascoigne Wood, Eggborough perhaps 8. Another flow was scrap metal from Attercliffe in Sheffield to Aldwarke in Rotherham - 5 miles maximum. It's all in the "Freightmaster" book that Bealieau sent you. When you get my latest gift it'll get even clearer. Tonight's "unwind after a bad day with a bottle of Merlot" album is Do It Yourself, by the Seahorses - John Squire at his blistering best!
QUOTE: Originally posted by cogload Yes: One bloke driving - Power Station - Pit - Power Station continuously. High Utilisation in both terms of wagons and locomotives (1). 5 Days a week - Up to 6 trains a day. There is currently a flow out of Leith Docks (Ed) to Cockenzie P.S. which must be all of I dunno 10 miles, if that. 2.5k tonnes per train.....kerrrrrrrchhhiiiiing. Plus if part of the run is on the main (line) Railfreight only had to pay marginal cost on that bit of railway. The key is the weight.
QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding QUOTE: Originally posted by cogload Yes: One bloke driving - Power Station - Pit - Power Station continuously. High Utilisation in both terms of wagons and locomotives (1). 5 Days a week - Up to 6 trains a day. There is currently a flow out of Leith Docks (Ed) to Cockenzie P.S. which must be all of I dunno 10 miles, if that. 2.5k tonnes per train.....kerrrrrrrchhhiiiiing. Plus if part of the run is on the main (line) Railfreight only had to pay marginal cost on that bit of railway. The key is the weight. So, if I understand the open access system correctly,the train op company would have to *bid*(?) on the uses of those certain tracks, at thoses certain times,5 days a week, up to 6 trains a day? Also, I'm having trouble visualizing how this train could compete with trucks? Granted, I'm viewing it from an American perspective. Here, anything under about 400 miles goes more economically on a semi-truck. Are Briti***rains that much more efficient than (North)American trains? Or perhaps trucks over here are more efficient? As always, thanks.
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