There is an oil train outside my window right now that is probably a mile and a half long. Has a bunch of engines on it. I assume each engine doesn't have an operator though.
To ship containers via train you lose a lot of time and money taking them off the truck and putting them back on the truck. For cross country trips it makes sense, but for regional trips it isn't worth it. I worked in an aluminum factory years ago that had its own rail siding. They didn't use it any more though. The ignots came in by truck and the coils left by truck. I was told it was actually the time to load and put the train together, and then unload it that is the biggest issue.
To ship containers via train you lose a lot of time and money taking them off the truck and putting them back on the truck. For cross country trips it makes sense, but for regional trips it isn't worth it. I worked in an aluminum factory years ago that had its own rail siding. They didn't use it any more though. The ignots came in by truck and the coils left by truck. I was told it was actually the time to load and put the train together, and then unload it that is the biggest issue.
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