Anyone know the route of the UP & CSX Wallula, Wash.-Rotterdam, N.Y. perishables train (ZWASKP, March 2007 TRAINS, p. 14)?
Not sure about either end, but in the middle of the country it follows the transcon across Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois. Here’s proof:
But then you probably already know that…
That is the Railex Train aint it?
Good catch. Those are hard to intercept.
According to reports on a local railfan list, last week’s train had a fourth engine, with the usual three GEs, and a block of autoracks on it. I didn’t see it myself. I don’t recall for sure, but I think the list was referring to the eastbound loaded train.
Jeff
Yes–last week’s eastbound was a little strange. They left Wallula with 30 loaded reefers, and combined the train with ABAWG at Ontario, Oregon. As a result, there were four units, with UP Olympic SD70M 2002 on the point. The autos came off at West Chicago (“WG”), but all four units stayed on the train all the way to Rotterdam, and returned on this week’s ZSKWAP, which is headed west across Iowa or Nebraska right now.
This week’s ZWASKP is the third in a row that has had only thirty cars, as opposed to the 55 with which it ran heretofore. I don’t know what’s up with that. But instead of starting out with four GEVOs as far as Nampa (and three thereafter), it left with two GEVOs.
Yeah, Carl,
I noticed the same thing last week as well. As long as the ZWASKP made it to the CSXT interchange on time, I suppose handling the 40 loaded auto racks from Ontario, Ore. to West Chicago was a smart move.
My guess is that Wallula is experiencing a seasonal lull in perishable traffic right now. Later this summer when the new crops come in, the trains ought to fill out. Wouldn’t it be great if the two carriers had to run multiple sections when the apple harvest comes in?
/s/ Bob
Does anyone know if the revenue for the train is based on train rate or car rate? If it is on a carload rate, I can certainly see the reason for adding a little revenue at the end of the train.
ed
Im guessing in the neighborhood of 160,000 dollars for a 50 car load. Again, Im trying to make heads and tails of the scanskrit that is the tarriff rate chart.