Way to go BNSF !! Just posted in Trains news ,BNSF starting a car train shuttle
for people who vacation in Arizona to start a service to sending your car by train.
Come on amtrac take the hint…This been long over due for east to west train and visa versa like your Florida train…Amtrac needs to challenge something different. Who knows mayby it will be a hit.
Sam
first of all welcome to the forums.second its nice to see railroads wanting to serve the public again?
stay safe
Joe
Sam - Welcome. This is good news. 1 question, where do the people travel? I hope not by Plane!!
It is a jolly good idea, isn’t it? Save a lot of wear and tear and worry! Way to go, BNSF!
This is a great idea I hope it goes over. Will this service only be provided during the winter, or will it be available the year around? What will it cost to ship a car round trip between Chicago and Phoenix?
According to the news wire, the rate starts at $450 per car. It is not specified, but presumably that is one way. Amtrak’s Auto train charges $347 for a car and one coach seat, also one way. They are stating that service will take 7 to 10 days. It would seem that there is flex built to allow for the accumulation of autos to fill out the rail cars. Obviously the cars will move in freight train service, and from an economic standpoint, that is a whole different kettle of fish.
Some years back, there was an auto train service from Louisville, KY to Florida, but as I recall, it did not attract very much business. At the present time the US DOT is not allowing Amtrak to set up any new trains or services, and even if they had the resources, I suspect that it would be well down the list of thing to add.