Hi Overmod,
I see above that you planned to observe a demonstration of the RailRunner, and perhaps report back if there was interest. One person asked for that, but there is no further mention of the demonstration in this thread. I’m just wondering if you may have reported on it in another thread, and if so if you have a URL for it.
I did not, and it’s probably likely that we won’t be in a ‘state’ soon where a ‘live’ test and critiquing Q&A will be possible.
It is difficult to figure a ‘sweet spot’ for this kind of equipment combined with ‘specialized’ access equipment in typical North American railroading, and many of the advantages even for niche or ‘boutique’ traffic are now minimized by PSR things and by the traffic downturns in the COVID-19 crisis and its presumptive aftermath. See the recent thread on sideloading technologies (which for little more specialized-equipment and training investment give equal or better flexibility with spine/well cars and fairly ‘dumb’ chassis.)
MOD-Man I think you are on to something! With the advent of ‘P.S.R railroading’; such a niche item, or a ’ boutique’ service will be a pretty hard ‘sell’ in the current scheme of things. IMHO.
Before the NSR 'killed the service through this area (Ft.Waybe, In to Alliance,Tx.) they ran about a train a week. I’d counted as many as 100 ‘cars’, and generally two engines. For some reason, on several occasions, BNSF power, ran second -out, and NS power on the point.
I guess NS sold all those trailers and hardware, it sure disappeard, pretty fast. Remember, that when it first started; NS Bought NAVL ( North American Van Lines) Their HQ. was Ft.Wayne). I was told the main freight was auto parts down, and M/T racks went back.(?)
Not sure if Boyd Bros. Trucking, is still doing their ‘collapsible pallet system. It has been quite a while since I’ve seen any on the BNSF stackers thru here. AS to getting the container chassis’ back and forth, I see UPS seems to send back quite