Equipmant Acquisition
The movement of freight by the railroad requires an assortment of car types. While most people recognize the basic types, few are aware of the many differences which are involved in the selection of cars by the railroad customer. In planning for future needs, lots of consideration must be given to carrying capacity, physical dimension, versatility, special features and service life. Since today’s freight car can cost $70,000 to $100,000 each, the decision to acquire cars is a major decision.
Some years ago, when freight cars cost much less than at present, the railroads which now are part of the Guilford Rail System acquired many boxcars, for paper and other type loads, and covered hopper cars, for cement, grain and aggregate traffic. Most of these were obtained through lease agreements with termination dates, which has necessitated an evaluation of the cars and their suitability for continued service.
One series of 384 boxcars is being purchased for continuation in paper and related service. These all steel cars, built in 1978 and 1980 by FMC Corporation, have 75 tons of load capacity and are equipped with 10 foot wide doors. They have end-of-car cushioning devices for lading protection and side wall anchors for lading securement. When built new, these cars were among the finest cars in paper service. As the marketplace and transportation industry are always evolving, it is appropriate to expect that the boxcar of today will be somewhat different. Nevertheless, these 75 ton cars will have plenty of freight to haul during their remaining life.
Actually, Guilford Rail has secured a substantial number of newer boxcars of a different design to meet the demands of the marketplace. The “Plate F” car, which has an inside height of 13 feet and a load carrying capacity of 105 tons, has become the prime car design for paper service. Almost 600 Plate F cars of diverse ownership are assigned for loading at Guilford points. While the extra height of the car means it can’t travel everywhere without restriction, the railroad industry has been increasing its clearances dramatically, and the Plate F car is now commonplace.
A series of 98 covered hopper cars used in cement service is also being purchased for continued use. These 3,000 cubic foot cars have spent their 20 year life thus far in cement service, and ample opportunity exists for their continued use. These cars also have a load carrying capacity of approximately 105 tons.
The home construction industry has created a substantial demand for construction lumber, and much of this originates in Maine and Canada. In order to get the maximum loaded on a railcar, a new design was created, the “center beam” car, which is a bulkhead flat car utilizing a load dividing beam construction which actually is a structural member. This center beam not only supports and secures the stacks of packaged lumber, it also stiffens the car structure, giving it load carrying capability. At present, there are 125 of these cars dedicated to traffic handled by Guilford Rail. Additional cars are added to this fleet as needed.