Okay today I was at the Winter Park Amtrak station and before the northbound Silver Meteor arrived an auto rack train passed through. This was an usually LONG auto rack train that went through Winter Park most autorack trains on the A-line would have at least 20-50 cars around here. The one I saw today may have had at least 100+ auto racks most of which me and everyone waiting for the Silver Meteor could see where loaded as it went through the station. The lead engines were C40-8W #7378 and C40-9W 9001 and it arrived at the Winter Park station at exactly 2:08 PM. Was this some kind of test train or was it normal, cause I have never seen an auto rack train that lengthy before even the staff at the station said it was a pretty long consist for this line.
I going to guess and say it was the first train load of some manufacturers new model. At least one of each car would have to go to every dealership, but subsequent trains would be of normal size to replenish inventories. Assuming it sells.
Bruce
The normal desired maximum length of CSX autorack trains - both loaded and empty is 9000 feet which comes out to 93 racks.
Many run smaller and a few will run longer (where the yardmaster and/or trainmaster just has to add one or two more cars).
The train was Q235-19 with 76 racks.
Thanks. [Y] 76 that’s pretty big for this area. The two engines were pulling their guts out as it slowly went through the Winter Park station delaying traffic and the Silver Meteor, which stopped just short of the station to wait for the freight to pass. Then 98 blocked the crossing for several minutes making the traffic even worse. I can tell motorists were ticked off about that.
I’ve spoken with a few NS employees out of Allentown, Pa. and they have said trains get combined if there is a shortage of locomotives or even crews. Wonder if this the case, maybe. Also just a side note, I work for a new car dealer, every dealer doesnt automaticly get sent new models or next years models early, manufacturers set high performance goals that include sales, service, parts, and completely satisfied customer feedback that must be met or you aren’t getting any.