Would it be feasible for some Freight Trains to add on a few passenger cars in the right situation?

[Quixote1818]

Here is one scenario where doing this might have some benefit. I live in Albuquerque and we have no railroad passenger service between Albuquerque and El Paso, Texas. It's probably not feasible for Amtrak to add service there or they would have done it but every day trains run from El Paso through Las Cruces up to Albuquerque and of course they also run from Alb. to El Paso. I am not one to ride the bus but if there was a train down to El Paso I would love to take it. I suppose it would hurt Greyhound and might be small potatoes for the Freight Train companies but what would be the harm of throwing on one or two cars with passengers? I understand the schedules would probably be erratic but people could just log on to the net and see if there is a train that might meet there schedule.

Thoughts?

[jwirr]

1. It would probably depend on the schedules. Being able to ride in for

a work day or schools would make it a lot more feasible.

[MazeRat7]

2. I don't think so...

This is just my opinion, but hauling freight is all about cost/tonnage/mile. Beyond the obvious fact that freight companies do not have the infrastructure to deal with passengers (stations, ticking, security, attendants, etc), I figure it would take decades to recover their initial investment to set all that up in multiple locations if they ever could. While I don't have any hard data, my experience tells me hauling freight is far more profitable than hauling humans.

Just a guess.... don't hold me to it.

Peace,
MZr7

[elleng]

3. Sounds like a good idea,

but I expect the freight carriers would object, for a number of reasons, and there are 'legal' and jurisdictional issues which would keep such from occurring, IMO.

Years ago railroads gave over their passenger obligations to the govt due to the burdens resulting; labor and liability matters, among others. It was and is difficult to make enough money carrying passengers (certainly compared with freight) so govt. subsidies are really necessary.

These days, cities in some heavily populated corridors have been able to develop passenger service, for commuters/rush hours/tourists, etc. Your best recourse, IMO, would be to consult with individuals and governmental bodies in the area to determine whether there might be sufficient interest to do so.


I attach some history and pr:

http://www.amtrakhistoricalsociety.com/bah.htm

http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=94774253

[Quixote1818]

5. Thanks for the info. nt

[elleng]

4. You may be interested in this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7951167

[A HERETIC I AM]

6. Freight locomotives are not equipped to handle passenger railcars...

because of their need for electricity, heat, AC etc.

Passenger train locomotives supply what is known as "Head-End Power". Since freight cars do not require power of any kind (just air for the brakes) the locomotives used in freight traffic are unsuitable for passenger service without extensive modification.

[Thothmes]

10. Some freight cars require power

Modern reefer cars have package refridgeratiion units installed in each car. The unit is powered by a diesel unit with a 450 gal fuel tank. Can keep frozen goods below freezin all the way across country. The car environment is completely independent of the locomotive. Similiar individual car package heating/AC/electrical units could be designed for passenger cars, if they have not already been designed.

[A HERETIC I AM]

11. Reefer cars are self powered, therefore require no power from the locomotive.

If the gist of the OP is to simply attach a few passenger cars to the end of a freight train, then my statement stands. There are many privately owned railcars with gensets installed but if I am not mistaken, Amtrack requires they be able to accept head-end power in order to be pulled by Amtrack trains and the gensets only be used when the car is stationary on a siding, detached from a train.

[Thothmes]

12. Why would Amtrack rules apply to freight trains.

[A HERETIC I AM]

14. Amtrack rules apply to PASSENGER rail cars.

The freight railroads are not in the business of hauling loaded passenger cars behind their freight locomotives for any number of reasons, one of which is that it isn't profitable for them or they would have continued to do so.

If you're convinced the freight railroads will haul passenger cars behind their freight trains, I encourage you to call them and ask about their rules regarding such movements.

Union Pacific; http://www.uprr.com/customers/ca/carmgmt.shtml#4

Burlington Northern Sante Fe. http://www.bnsf.com/aboutbnsf/contacts.html

CSX. http://www.csx.com/?fuseaction=customers.customer_service

You'll likely find they are happy to move a passenger rail car for you as long as it has no passengers on it and requires no special service. You'll also find the rates for such a move will exceed $5.00/mile.

[On the Road]

7. Actually,

some of them are already used that way.

[rebel with a cause]

8. We have Amtrak here and there is a special rate

for those traveling from Southern Illinois to Chicago, due to the many students at SIU being from the city. But if you check the rates and the travel time to go to other parts of the country it is as cheap or cheaper to fly and there are sometimes 14 hr. Amtrak layovers in Chicago before you can travel on to other areas. I have never traveled by train, except on the Long Island RR and the subways in NYC, never on Amtrak.

[madrchsod]

9. no

[madokie]

13. I think freight trains make too many stops

after a while all those stops will get to ya too. A train slows down and slows down then when it gets to a couple mph or so it then all of a sudden comes to a scretching assed halt and if you're not seated and hanging on you will find yourself bouncing off the front wall of the car you are in. Freight trains that is. Only train I've ridden on and let me tell you it left a lot to be desired.
I don't see why frieght and passenger trains can't utilize the same tracks though