Here on the Union Pacific Railroad there are at least 5 to as much as 10 Auto Trains that come through Town everyday. Why so many? Where are they going? And is the UPRR making a very good Profit from all this Auto Train Traffic? There seems to be an aufull lot of Auto Traffic this Year.
BNSFrailfan.
What’s your location? EB or WB? If they were WB on either the overland or Sunset routes then would most likely be going to LAX to collect cars made by the Japanese/Korean makers. If they we are EB Chicago bound most likely for distribution thru out the mid-west. [:)]
[quote]
QUOTE: Originally posted by spbed
What’s your location? EB or WB? If they were WB on either the overland or Sunset routes then would most likely be going to LAX to collect cars made by the Japanese/Korean makers. If they we are EB Chicago bound most likely for distribution thru out the mid-west. [:)]
I live in BlairNeb.
Thay are all Westbounds on the UP’s East-West Main Line.
And 3rd. All Westbounds are all Loaded Auto Trains.
BNSFrailfan.
Not sure how this ties in to what you are seeing, but my guess is that it is at least partially related…
Here on the Automotive Artery of the NS’s former Wabash. 3-4 weeks ago this place was FLOODED with empty auto racks headed back east… And I mean more flooded than I’ve EVER seen this place before. For like a week, every siding I’d see was crammed full of empties, and a good many standing trains on the mains were full of east bound empties as well.
It was just out of the ordinary enough that I really noticed it,…and evidently what you are seeing is the other side of this run, with the cars being shipped back out full…?
I would say domestic autos for west coast distribution.
In portland at the port there is an autorack facility that receives domestic autos for distribution, and loads Hundai’s and other imports for inland distribution. Loads both ways.
In the SF bay area there is a large auto distribution center almost underneath the east end of the Benicia bridge (north of Martinez). And in Freemont (Warm Springs) just north of San Jose at the old Ford assembly plant is another large distribution center (I think this is joint Ford/Toyota.
I’m not shure where, but somewhere in the LA area there must be one. I know the BNSF’s is in San Berdino (B-yard I think). But I can’t remember where UPs is (West Colton ???) They used to distribute GMs at the old GEMCO yard (ex-Firebird/Camero plant) in Van Nuys, but I don’t know if they still do. I would be interested in knowing more about the LA area auto facilities myself.
Also I think the north Las Vegas yard is a auto dist. center.
Well thanks then I would surmise they are cars built in the USA destined for the W/coast consumption. I see you live in NE have you ever been to Gibbons Jct. If you have how interesting in your opinion is it? [:o)]
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QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSF railfan.
A lot of those auto trains originate at IHB’s Gibson Yard, near East Chicago, Indiana. All of the eastern railroads deliver loaded racks to Gibson, where they’re reclassified into the solid trains for movement out west. Thankfully, they avoid our yard–auto racks are the most voracious eaters of bowl-track space I can think of.
Right now, I see references to trains AGBNP (North Platte), as well as AGBPX, AGBML, and AGBMI. I don’t know the destinations of the three last mentioned; we don’t send manifests to these points that I’m aware of. We don’t have as many eastbound auto-rack trains–one I see appearing regularly is ADVGF, which originates in Denver and goes to the CN via the EJ&E, leaving the main line at West Chicago (GF is Griffith, Indiana).
UP also brings a lot of auto-racks in from Mexico through Larado and San Antonio TX.
dd
[quote]
QUOTE: Originally posted by spbed
Well thanks then I would surmise they are cars built in the USA destined for the W/coast consumption. I see you live in NE have you ever been to Gibbons Jct. If you have how interesting in your opinion is it? [:o)]
I’ve been to Gibbon Jct. only once. I’ve been as far West as O’Fallons on the UP.
Man you talk about Trains,Holy cow!
BNSFrailfan.
GM/Toyota http://www.nummi.com/home.html
Mira Loma, CA.
Thanks ericsp, I couldn’t remember that one.