Railways was Re: [AT] Gasoline $

[Tom Yasnowski]

I can see why. Those trains need to keep moving large volumes long distances 
to be profitable.
Ii is the ideal choice for bulk and long distance hauling. Making little pit 
stops all along the way
isnt efficient for this mode, hence I bet thats why another reason trucks 
took over.
I dont think thats necessarily "bad", its hust the contiuning evolution of 
transportation.

>From: "charlie hill" <chill8 at cox.net>
>Reply-To: Antique tractor email discussion group 
><at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
>To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
>Subject: Re: Railways  was  Re: [AT] Gasoline $
>Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 12:06:27 -0400
>
>It's the same here Ralph.  All of the branch lines have been pulled out. 
>There is essentially no such thing as short distance rail any longer.  No 
>depots and very few sidings at small businesses or farms.  Mainly there are 
>just main rails that move stuff to and from the ports, industries and large 
>grain and fertilizer facilities.
>
>However, I am pretty sure I'm right when I say that trucks closed the rails 
>down.
>
>Charlie
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Ralph Goff" <alfg at sasktel.net>
>To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
>Sent: Friday, August 12, 2005 11:35 AM
>Subject: Re: Railways was Re: [AT] Gasoline $
>
>
>>Charlie
>>Maybe I should clarify. Most of our grain does eventually get to port by 
>>rail. What I am complaining about is the closure of the "short lines " or 
>>branch lines that used to serve every small town here. At most our grain 
>>would be trucked ten to fifteen miles to the elevator and from there it 
>>was rail lines all the way to the final destination, be it Vancouver or 
>>the East coast.
>>Now, with the closure of most of these short lines, our grain is trucked 
>>at least double, triple or more miles to reach the terminals on the main 
>>lines before it gets into rail transportation. This means no more small 
>>300 bushel trucks (or tractors and wagons) hauling grain, it does't pay 
>>with today's fuel cost. Now we pay the custom truckers with the big semis, 
>>super b trains to haul our grain to terminal. More big trucks on the road 
>>than ever before. Some of our fuel tax goes to repairing those roads 
>>damaged by heavy truck traffic.
>>Most of the small towns out here originated with and as a result of the 
>>coming of the rail lines. Its not that many years ago that all the farm 
>>equipment dealers had their machinery delivered on rail cars. I can 
>>remember seeing new equipment sitting on the rail cars waiting to be 
>>unloaded. I guess now some of us wonder just how long the towns will last 
>>once the railway is gone.
>>
>>Ralph in Sask.
>>http://lgoff.sasktelwebsite.net/
>>
>>----- Original Message ----- From: "charlie hill" <chill8 at cox.net>
>>To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" 
>><at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
>>Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 10:27 AM
>>Subject: Re: Alt fuels was Re: [AT] Gasoline $
>>
>>
>>>The problem with the railroads is that manufactured products, parts and 
>>>produce are all delivered "just in time" these days.  That cuts down on 
>>>inventory costs and allows the market to react to demand changes must 
>>>faster that was ever possible before.   Trains can't do just in time 
>>>delivery.  It takes trucks.  Stuff that can effectively move on the 
>>>rails, raw materials, etc. still do.
>>>
>>>Charlie
>>
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