Nostalgia & History > Average coal train length and weight in the 1970s

What was the average weight of a loaded car, specifically coal cars, in tons, from the 70s era? And what was the average length of a N&W or Virginian loaded coal train? And whAt was the typical power for a loaded coal train? Thanks for any info.

When we first started receiving  coal trains from the BN in 1976, the trains were usually 110-112 cars and in 12,000-14,000 tons. I t remained like this until the introduction of DP coal trains 

RCPE_Hogger Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What was the average weight of a loaded car,
> specifically coal cars, in tons, from the 70s era?
> And what was the average length of a N&W or
> Virginian loaded coal train?

Depends on what part of the N&W you are referring to. Although I was never on nor around the Virginian, but when I was training N&W operating and shop crews out of Portsmouth, Ohio in 1962, the westbound loaded coal trains from Williamson to Portsmouth were generally 240 cars (23,500 to 24,000 tons). The loaded coal trains from Portsmouth to Columbus, Ohio were reduced to 180 cars.

And whAt was the
> typical power for a loaded coal train?

Again, in 1962, three GP9s used between Williamson and Portsmouth, or two GP30s. Between Portsmouth and Columbus, three GP30s.

Thanks for
> any info.

B&O was using 50 ton,70 ton and a few 100 ton hoppers.Power was GP40's normally 3 .train lenght was 80 cars. They still needed 4 SD35's to shove it to the top of the mountain..Not that much different now either.Cars are now 120 ton. ,but train is still 80 cars with 2AC4400's up front and 2 more AC4400's shoving. This is Grafton,WV that I am refering to.

GRS

HotWater Wrote
>
> Again, in 1962, three GP9s used between Williamson
> and Portsmouth, or two GP30s. Between Portsmouth
> and Columbus, three GP30s.
>

HotWater, I've read where N&W in the 60's ran 2400 -plus loads daily west out of Williamson in the early 60's.  I'm curious about the volume in the late 70's.  That's when I began train watching along the Columbus District and it seemed to like that was still an accurate amount. I know some of that volume stopped around Kenove, but I've never seen figures.  Thanks in advance! 

Were the Southern Railway and Norfolk Western the two Eastern roads that regularly run 200+ loaded coal trains with only two or three Jeeps?  I wonder what the longest regularly scheduled loaded coal train was

Williamson to Columbus N&W was climbing 0.3%.
SR didn't have any coal routes like that, did they?