After reviewing the CSX intermodal train ops details in Mr Boychuk's exhibit 13 in the amended filing and actually watching CSX activity at Palmer and Chester live cams, I do agree that there are 2 westbound domestic COFC/TOFC trains departing from Worcester.
Observations from the Palmer and Chester live cams last night:
At 2345, Q115 passed Palmer with ~ 1,900 ft of carload freight followed by 40 wells of double stacked international cube containers. At 0258, Q115 slogged upgrade past the Chester cam with 40 additional wells of domestic stacks acquired at W Springfield cut in ahead of the original 40 international container wells.
At 0130, Q017 passed Palmer with ~1,700 ft of domestic COFC/TOFC, DPU, and ~1,900 ft of domestic COFC/TOFC. At Chester, it was apparent that Q017 had added about 10,000 ft of domestic COFC/TOFC (including FedEx trailers) at W Springfield on its marker.
At 0612, Q019 passed Palmer with 45 wells (~3,000 ft) of COFC/TOFC. Q019 passed Chester with 2 UPS trailers, 3 FedEx trailers, and a double stacked Schneider on top of a UPS container added to the drawbar at W Springfield.
Note when I say "wells" I'm also including spine car platforms which hold either a trailer or single stacked container.
Lastly I don't understand why the currently posted ShipCSX intermodal schedules don't indicate that both Q017 to Chicago and Q019 to Selkirk/Chicago are available daily at either Worcester or W Springfield when they clearly are.
Interesting B&A train frequency summary from exhibit 13
The Berkshire Subdivision of the Selkirk – Boston Corridor runs between Selkirk, NY and Ludlow, MA, east of Springfield, MA, a total distance of approximately 99.7 miles. There are approximately 11.4 trains a day on this subdivision (five intermodal, four merchandise, and two automotive). Seven trains originate/terminate at Worcester, MA, two trains originate/terminate at East Brookfield, MA, and two trains originate/terminate at West Springfield, MA. The trains have an average length of 6,974 feet, with 6,610 average tons, and 32.5 MPH average velocity.
The Boston Subdivision of the Selkirk – Boston Corridor runs between Ludlow, MA and Worcester, MA, a total distance of approximately 47.1 miles. There are approximately 7.5 trains a day on this subdivision (five intermodal and 2.5 merchandise), all of which originate/terminate at Worcester, MA. The trains have an average length of 5,352 feet, with 5,316 average tons; and 26.7 MPH average velocity.
Looks like adding amply powered NS 22K/23K trackage rights trains of < 9,000 feet to the daily mix should be no big deal.
Thanks for all the commentary...
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