Would you buy a used car from a car dealer that he, himself removed from the road? Amtrak embargoed the MHC's themselves, and before that they had speed restrictions placed on them by most of the major host freight railroads. I get the feeling they are not going to sell very quickly.Amfleet said:Yes, the Material Handling Cars that did, but then failed, are for sale. Click here if you want one. <_< Rumor has it that a dozen of so heritage baggage cars are being rebuilt at Beech Grove for NEC mail trains 10 & 13.
I'm sure some weary freight railroad that needs box cars desperately will purchase them. Also freight railroads usually don't run their trains of 60mph and the smaller class railroads don't go above 30mph or 40mph.Would you buy a used car from a car dealer that he, himself removed from the road? Amtrak embargoed the MHC's themselves, and before that they had speed restrictions placed on them by most of the major host freight railroads. I get the feeling they are not going to sell very quickly.
I know I'm not Bill, but I would think that this is a very logical conclusion to make. Count DC in this mix too as the old main PO is very close to Union Station.ELNewBranch said:Bill, would that explain the close proximity of large post offices to stations such as New York Penn and Phila 30th St.? I never really thought about the connection between passenger trains and mail until a few weeks ago as I was walking down Spruce St. in Philly. Thanks for bringing this up.
The only argument I have with this, is that they will keep speeds down, especially when freight railroads issue slow orders on the equipment.battalion51 said:I don't have a problem with RoadRailers and I don't have a problem with ExpressTrak cars. What I do have a problem with is when safety is being compromised for mail.
While it's a good idea in theory, the truth is that Conductors need every inch of room they can get in the baggage cars. More often than not the piles will reach the ceiling, when a full car is available for him to use. I've also said it before, and I'll say it again, shelves don't work when it comes to baggage. It's hard enough to get the luggage into the car and into its pile without having to try to get it on a shelf. And while it may be able to be secured, stuff still bounces around, and anything that falls off a shelf is not going to be a pretty thing. Also there is a fundamental problem with the shelving, mail is loaded in bogies that are put on/removed from the train with a forklift. This way a large amount of mail can be moved at once. The MHC cars were great in theory, but the truth is that dedicated mail cars are a must. whether it's converted Heritage cars or whatever, the mail needs its own car.Puting express cars and roadrailers aside I think a safe shelf system could be installed in half the baggage car that could hold and keep mail organized.
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