2006-06-06 13:25:36 · 6 answers · asked by ji 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Rail
Most railroads are busy all year around, what with high fuel costs now. It's actually cheaper to ship by rail, rather than by truck. December doesn't actually slow down either, what with the increased UPS shipments that are going out. That is a crucial time for railroads. UPS shipments are not to be delayed at all. Those trains usually run at 70 MPH and only stop for crew change.
2006-06-07 07:07:23 · answer #1 · answered by funnymancurt 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Generally they are busy year round -- there's always a lot of stuff that needs to get shipped somewhere.
Usually, after the end of December things slow down until it warms up (speaking from the Northeast here)... There are commodities like stone that are seasonal and the quarries only operate in the warm months.
The local yard where I am is always below capacity in the winter... Now you'd be lucky to find open track to stick a few cars...
2006-06-07 04:02:18 · answer #2 · answered by DT89ACE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I at least know of one commodity that is seasonal for the railroads and that is grain. During the early fall every year farmers are looking to ship their harvest to market and with a bulk commodity like grain, a train is about the most efficient way to do so. So, if you live in the plains or in other areas with large farmland dedicated to grain (such as central Canada), be on the lookout during this time for what look like covered coal cars (in railroad jargon, covered hoppers), as they will be in full force. :o)
I am not sure but I also believe rail traffic also picks up in the fall time for the oncoming of holiday season (it would mostly be intermodal, i.e., containers on flatcars [COFC]).
2006-06-06 14:05:37 · answer #3 · answered by DomeFan_87 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think the most busy time for trains is in the summer becuase they have more demand for fuel food and clothes for the stores to keep up for the winter
2006-06-06 14:11:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats a good question. But I hear train whistles everyday and it gives me a butterfly feeling in the pit of my stomach. Makes me want to jump on & never get off, if you know what I mean....(@o@)
2006-06-06 13:31:13 · answer #5 · answered by silhouette 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my area they are busy all year-round...Coal is a big factor where I live. One must have coal for electricity so they stay very busy 24/7.
2006-06-09 14:33:28 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋