I've got coal cars in Hampton Roads that haven't moved for a week. I see diesel going through the roof. I wonder if there are any folks here in shipping that can comment on an increased demand for trucks to move some of the goods that trains have failed to move? If so, what percentage increase, relative to diesel demand/shortages?

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), January 21, 2000

Answers

Hi Hokie, Sorry but I do not have a response to your question. In regard to railroad activity, it has been very light. On the Santa Fe/Burlington Northern, the only train observed today (except Amtrack) was a long train of empty flatcars of the type normally used to hold shipping containers. This train was heading southbound toward L.A.

-- No Polly (nopolly@hotmail.com), January 21, 2000.

Hiya Hokie!

I just called Tammy (sweetheart) at work and asked her about how many trains she has heard crashing at night (you know the boom when they put 'em together?)

She said, since rollover, NONE.

This is at Prince George, BC, Canada. BCR (British Columbia Railway) and CN (Canadian National Railway.)

-- (Kurt.Borzel@gems8.gov.bc.ca), January 21, 2000.

NONE? dang.

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), January 21, 2000.

Trains are running normally around here. But there is a noticeable lessening of cargo. But that could just be a post-holiday let-up. Pre- Christmas levels of traffic are bad barometers to measure against, since there is so much extra traffic related to the holiday package rush.

I haven't heard the one sure sign of rail troubles, though. NO sign or hint of layoffs for train crews. In fact both of the local major lines and one minor player are looking for new employees. Traffic is still projected to go up and they need to get mew people into the training pipeline to have them qualified to work by spring.

Just might go put in a resume or two myself.

WW

-- Wildweasel (vtmldm@epix.net), January 21, 2000.

Flagstaff has slowed down considerably, I thought some one said we used to get about 150 a day. I don't know how many we are getting now but I have never seen so little trafic on the rails. A couple of days ago I saw a train with trailors on it with the wheels still attached, don't know if that is normal but I have never seen it before and it had a lot of flat beds empty. Today for the first time I saw maybe 3 or 4 trains and that is slow for us.

-- Mat (slowtrains@no.trains), January 21, 2000.

Hokie....

I hauled those coal cars into HR before I retired. Rail traffic is still moving through my little town with no word of problems. if there were, I think I would have heard about it. My contacts are still good!

Tommy

-- Tommy Rogers (Been there@Just a Thought.com), January 21, 2000.

My husband is a driver for USF Holland trucking company. I asked him if their schedules or loads had changed at all and he said no. There has not been any increase or decrease in deliveries.

-- LOON (blooney10@aol.com), January 21, 2000.

My grandson drives for an outfit out of Missoula, Montana, cross country, and according to him last evening, there's no change. And, he's still complaining about one thing and another so all must be going well.

-- Richard (Astral-Acres@webtv.net), January 21, 2000.

Hokie,

I can't offer any relation to rail traffic, but news from a few locally based trucking co.s is that they are busy - unusually busy for this time of year.

(definition of few=2 moving co.s, 2 freight co.s)

-- maid upname (noid@ihope.com), January 22, 2000.

Well that is reassuring; thanks to all!

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), January 23, 2000.