1. UP – expects a delayed increase in peak season freight. Says that it will be higher than last year but for a shorter time. [joc
2. Stored RR cars were pulled out of storage by 5539 cars reducing idle cars 17.8% below 18% first time since 2008? Total idle cars now number 271,404 whic give an approximate ~ 1.525 M total rail cars? [joc]
Seems like a considerable amount of cars in storage.
Ed
Ed,
Yes about the same percentage as unemployed, under employed, and so discouraged not looking for work anymore PEOPLE.
Mac McCulloch
Until we can see a breakdown by type of car there cannot be any conclusions. Am waiting for those figures to be listed. EX: lumber cars probably are in the 30 - 50 % range and intermodal cars may hit zero in Sept and Oct.
Carl Shave probably can give us a hint as to the seasonal variations of car storage especially grain??
4. BNSF – At meeting in Portland with all RRs Rose calls for massive upgrades to all types of transportation infrastructure.
I doubt that too many grain cars ever are stored for too long, because different harvests occur at different times, and elevators can turn the stuff loose darn near anytime they want to. You’re more likely to hear of shortages than excess cars in storage.
5. NS — Will be in a tariff hearing to determine if NS can charge shippers extra due to exceeding a cars posted weight when snow and ice get on the car. Shippers are disputing saying its not their fault.
6. Congress – Mica says that he wants to find other funds to finance transportation work. Does not want to increase fuel taxes. [ wonder why?? ]
7. Crosstie manufacturing – reports that production in August up 21% [ 2.3 M ] from Aug 2010. 2011. YTD is 14.9M up 46% from 2010. Concrete tie production reported running at 100% of capacity since plant in Nebraska closed down [ was for UP ]
8. US Railroads – AAR reports that August traffic excluding grain and coal was 381,831 carloads best since Oct 2008.
9. Intermodal — AAR reports last weeks intermodal up 2.8% for an all tiime high of 311,125.
10. St. Lawrence seaway – possible strike shut down this week. If so could affect RRs?
11. National rr cars: AAR posted a significant recall of parked / stored cars;
http://us.mc837.mail.yahoo.com/mc/welcome?.partner=sbc&gx=1&.tm=1318269308&.rand=fu4l9h9bdf ch#_pg=showMessage;_ylc=X3oDMTBubmxpZHRvBF9TAzM5ODMwMzAyNwRhYwNkZWxNc2dz&mid= 1_302468_AEhVk0UAAP9sTpMDJAWH1hK8Ylw&fid=Inbox&sort=date&order= down&startMid=0&filterBy=&.rand=896539873&hash=645464403a7258e6911fdcba5e0f9ef4&.jsrand= 1141306
12. Alaska RR – STB approves new branch line from Port MacKenzie - near Houston ~ 35 miles.
This will provide rail connection to Port MacKenzie where none has existed before. STB approved all of the EIS.