Tropicana Juice Train

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

I would like to know when piggyback cars were added to the Tropicana Juice Train to Cincinnatti, Ohio. This train has 2 CSX locomotives, an average of 10 Tropicana Reefers and an average of 90 piggyback cars behind the Tropicana cars. This train does not have a caboose, since it started after CSX phased out cabooses on mainline freights. I have seen this train on the state owned Western & Atlantic in Georgia between Atlanta and Cartersville. The state of Georgia owns the W&A, but leases it to CSX. David Briel

2

Is there somewhere near you where the crews change that isn’t strictly off-limits to non-RR employees? You’d probably get your best and fastest answer from a yard dispatcher or engineer.

Then again, I’m amazed at how much knowledge is held by the people on this site. SOOOooo: Any ideas as to when the Tropicana Juice Train added a long string of piggybacks??

allen
[8)]

3

I see various sections of the train as it leaves Bradenton, FL and, although I’ve not spottted it lately, I’ve never seen any piggybacks on it…they may be added North of here.

4

David,

I see the Tropicana train along the same stretch of railroad that you do. IIRC, it has had trailers added for at least 2 years.

Jay

5

yes it has usally its on K651 when it goes through Folkston and seen it on some auto trains and one time a fright train but 10 tropicana cars and 90 piggy backs that would be just cars that were drop off somehow and needs to get back to Bradenton.

kevin

6

Maybe CSX has combined trains. A possible low-priority intermodal with K651.

Incidentally, if you go to Oaks model railroad, there is a few videos of it that you can download with new ES4400s including a primer unit.

7

I’m not sure about the Ohio version. But on the east coast…
The north bound Juice carries reefers only.
The south bound Juice picks up intermodal in Philly. This was done a couple years ago when 175 was discontinued.

Nick

8

I saw it leave Bradenton this morning (10-4) - no trailers. All reefers.

9

Nick probably has the fact you want. RR operations are always changing. Some trains are cancelled and the cars are put on another train to streamline operations. This form of consolidation doesn’t always work, but if it’s been done for an extended period of time, then consider it being a success to someone in operations.

10

Didn’t a video producer make a tape of this trains operation maybe 5 years ago?

This might give you a good idea of the operations. I can’t remember the producer for the life of me!

11

i believe that the reefers come out of cincy on the q141 which is piggyback job to florida somewhere. Now don’t hold me 2 it but the tropicana cars are taken to the ramp buy a yard job from the north side of cincy so it makes sense that is still the way it is