Boxcars make it to the WSJ

WSJ had a good article today on the plight of the boxcar. Not sure if this link will work without subscription:

"The number of boxcars in service in North America fell by 41% in the past decade to slightly less than 125,000 last year as 101,600 cars were scrapped and only about 13,800 replacement were added...."

http://www.wsj.com/articles/why-railroa ... 1434879182" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

What is actually shipped in box cars anymore?

Rolled paper is a major user of box cars. The rolls are too large and heavy to be shipped by truck or container in any appreciable quantity.

Stuart

Around these parts (RI) the Industries that receive boxcars from the P&W tend to be paper related: Newsprint (The Providence Journal) and cardboard packaging (Key Container in Pawtucket). Outgoing loads originate at several paper recycling firms..