Are there still RR's that haul livestock?

Question

I know that the Union Pacific was hauling shipments of livestock (hogs) from points in Nebraska and Kansas to a packing plant in Los Angeles up until the late 80's or early 90's. But on my last trip paralleling the UP's "Overland Route" mainline two summers ago I didn't see any livestock loading pens or livestock cars so I'm guessing they lost that traffic. A shame, I think.

Answer 1

yes u have to look

Answer 2

In the US the freight railroads still do this.

Answer 3

UP used to haul hogs into LA every nite at around 2-3am on the NPLAZ from north platte to los angeles.  a yard job would take them off the head end and haul them a few miles over to Farmer John.  The previous nights cars(and sometimes the current ones) would show up backin the yard around 5am or so and be switched into the rear of the LANP leaving beffore noon each day.  

I used to have to close the doors on those cars.  change brake shoes, air valves etc.  What a dirty job.  I believe they quit using them in '89 or '90 at least into Los Angeles

Answer 4

I run the yard in Phoenix. I move alot of cars, and I somehow find or what's in them. I have  not seen a livestock one, in my 2 years working here. But in the South East Vally of Phoenix, in Queen Creek, there is a live stock car. Just sitting there. a big farm uses it.. they made it so Horses Live in there. and when they want to bring the horses somwhere. The go and tow the Car with a tractor, have seen them use a f350 once though. they tow it to the road where they reload the horses onto trucks. I don't know where they got that car.

Answer 5

No they don't ship anything that way anymore. I read somewhere too that they stopped in the 80's. With the packing plants where the livestock is now they dont need to ship live animals a long ways, they just use refeers inside then they can haul something else back.