08-05-2014, 11:54 AM
My point wasn't the use of large power. I was just pointing out that a railroad wouldn't station one ore more road switchers for just 6 cars a day. It would be longer trains over more shifts. It's not cost effective.
A lot of CSAO yard jobs have engines stationed in order to handle multiple jobs. They may have one engine stationed at a yard to handle 1 morning and 1 night switcher or it handles enough cars in one shift to justify its being there.
The amount of revenue cars handled has to be greater than the operating costs (payroll for yard personnel, fuel, maintenance, etc.). That's one of the reasons why Class ones spin off branch lines. A branch line like this is more likely to be a short line because it doesn't make enough money. A Class one is more likely to also run a branch like this from a larger yard and not have a small yard or interchange.
A lot of CSAO yard jobs have engines stationed in order to handle multiple jobs. They may have one engine stationed at a yard to handle 1 morning and 1 night switcher or it handles enough cars in one shift to justify its being there.
The amount of revenue cars handled has to be greater than the operating costs (payroll for yard personnel, fuel, maintenance, etc.). That's one of the reasons why Class ones spin off branch lines. A branch line like this is more likely to be a short line because it doesn't make enough money. A Class one is more likely to also run a branch like this from a larger yard and not have a small yard or interchange.
Mike Kieran
Port Able Lines
" If the world were perfect, it wouldn't be " - Yogi Berra.
Port Able Lines
" If the world were perfect, it wouldn't be " - Yogi Berra.