More trains on the track since prices at the pump are so high?

Question

Our family recently took a twelve hour road trip across the prairies, and noticed that we saw ALOT of trains. There were a lot more trains that weekend than there were in the past, when I had travelled.

So, my question is, are there more trains running now, because of the high prices at the pump? I would think that trains might be cheaper to run than semi-trucks, and therefore might be used more to transport goods than before the escalation of oil prices.

Can someone knowledgeable in this area tell me if my thinking is correct??

Thanks!!!

Answer 1

I can tell you why trains are so efficient. A  freight train can move a ton of freight 423 miles on a gallon of fuel. The reason is becaause if you look at a car tire, about a sqare foot of tire is on the gound, a train wheel is about the size of a dime on the rail. Also car and truck tires flex and stretch when they move, train wheels do not. There is a huge lack of friction with a train and the weight of the train also comes into play. A loco weighs about 415,000 pounds  (207 tons) and can pull aprox. 10,000 tons by itself.

Answer 2

My job is about 200 yards from a 2 track freight line. Used to hear/see a freight train every 45-60 minutes. Now it is more like every 15 or less. Lots of trains are carrying truck trailers or shipping containers you'd expect to see on trucks.

Answer 3

Your right!Trains are much cheaper to transport goods than trucks.The fuel prices will drive lots of goods onto trains if things keep up the way they are going.A train can move a ton of freight 400 miles on a gallon of fuel.A truck can only move that ton of freight about 58 miles.One train can easily replace 250 trucks on the road.

Answer 4

Here in the UK the train has the potential to be the sensible alternative to the car, but the existing rail network has a long way to go before fulfilling that potential.

As far as freight goes the network is sadly underused, yet the motorways are clogged with heavy lorries.

Rail fares are inflated here compared with the rest of Europe. The railways are sadly missing the opportunity to be the mass transport choice of the future.

And yet, passengers complain that the trains are overcrowded. More people are using the rail network yet that is not reflected in improvements to services or VFM in fares.

This has got to change - especially in a country like the UK. The oil boom won't last for ever - it's already peaked.

Answer 5

Could be, but remember, there will be no trains if people quit buying the goods they haul.......

Answer 6

Andy is right. I might add here that train traffic has been increasing long before gasoline and fuel prices began climbing. Train traffic has had its spikes on the graphs, but over all, has been growing over the past 30 years.

Answer 7

Freight business is incredibly competitive and most trucking companies have fuel surcharges built in to their rate structure.

However, with the raising costs of fuel, a lot of the large trucking firms are putting more of their long haul loads on railraod flatcars, "piggybacking" because trains use roughly 1/4 or less fuel per ton mile of traffic so it only makes sense.

It does make it easier for railroads to bid on contracts against trucking companies, expecially for large contracts.

For all the complaining we hear from the the railroads, raising fuel costs are actually good for railroads, they are more efficient and pollute less, in addition your highway trip is much safer and more enjoyable with less trucks on the highway.