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Re: Rail most efficient, not no 2 continuing earlier thread.
Author: Marc
Date: 12-15-2007 - 22:13
Thanks for the additional info. I've been told by tug operators that the upstream move, even in the slack-water currents of the Columbia and Snake lake system required a lot of fuel, and indeed, they sure appear to be working quite hard. But I have never found any concrete info on the efficiency in barging, though many of the comments are what I suspected.
Perhaps Ross Hall will share the info of the study he references about the Columbia/Snake system....
My interest is that I'm writing on rail abandonment in the region and would like to get a good feel for the barge operations. Obviously, as stated, they are working because of incredible subsidies. The historic cycles of when rail-boat have worked together, and in direct competition, are an interesting story. The current PCC grain shuttle is expanding quite a bit, presently they are operating 50 car shuttles (rather than 25) between Hooper and Wallula.
Perhaps Ross Hall will share the info of the study he references about the Columbia/Snake system....
My interest is that I'm writing on rail abandonment in the region and would like to get a good feel for the barge operations. Obviously, as stated, they are working because of incredible subsidies. The historic cycles of when rail-boat have worked together, and in direct competition, are an interesting story. The current PCC grain shuttle is expanding quite a bit, presently they are operating 50 car shuttles (rather than 25) between Hooper and Wallula.
