Western Railroad Discussion > CR England over Donner

Slightly off the tracks so to speak, ( there will be a train connection later) but since I commute regularly on I-80 over Donner, I have noticed very few CR England 18 wheelers operating between Nevada and Calif. lately. On my normal commute of 25 miles or so on I-80 I would regularly see 8-10 of their trucks both East and Westbound...now ( last 2 months or so) I generally see none.
I know that Wal-Mart would regularly run about 80 trucks a day over the hill to their DC’s in the Central Valley and England had a portion of that. Did they lose this to a competitor or (here’s the rail connection!) has this traffic shifted to UP over Donner?
BTW, CR England is still very much alive, as witnessed by my recent road trip to Colorado, just not in California.
Any ideas or anyone in the know?
George Andrassy 

Could be something as simple as they lost a contract.

I saw at least 1 on today's ZG2LT(OA).

 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/15/18 17:10 by donner_dude1.

Lots of CR England containers on the Lathrop Z trains these days, and on some of the other Donner intermodals as well. Still some on I-80, but not in  large numbers.

It appears that CR England has gone heavily into intermodal for the long haul.  They were regulars on I80 in Iowa for years, but
now, not so much.  However, you now see England boxes on both the BNSF and UP.  If you see an England box or tractor on
the road, it's usually a Walmart job.  

Nick Tharalson,
Marion, IA
 

ntharalson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It appears that CR England has gone heavily into
> intermodal for the long haul.  They were regulars
> on I80 in Iowa for years, but
> now, not so much.  However, you now see England
> boxes on both the BNSF and UP.  If you see an
> England box or tractor on
> the road, it's usually a Walmart job.  
>
> Nick Tharalson,
> Marion, IA
>

Most likely related to the truck driver shortage. 

ntharalson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It appears that CR England has gone heavily into
> intermodal for the long haul.  They were regulars
> on I80 in Iowa for years, but
> now, not so much.  However, you now see England
> boxes on both the BNSF and UP.  If you see an
> England box or tractor on
> the road, it's usually a Walmart job.  
>
> Nick Tharalson,
> Marion, IA

I don't think I've ever seen anything other than refer CR England domestic containers; do they specialize only in the perishables business?

 spwolfmtn Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't think I've ever seen anything other than
> refer CR England domestic containers; do they
> specialize only in the perishables business?

I see an England trailer on the highways every now and then, probably of the reefer variety as well. Far as I know, all of the England reefer containers are in intermodal service on the UP and other railroads back east.

Also no longer seeing England trailers on flat car.   Just containers.

CR England is for sure heavy into Intermodal, specifically reefer containers and the UP. The half dozen times a year I see the ZLTG 2 there are 20-25 England containers(more in the summer/less in the winter). I travel to Southern  California on business about three times a year and always try to get out to Morongo Casino in Cabazon for some train watching. The ZCIG4 always has 15-20 England containers.
From what I recall, England's initial order was for 750 containers. Because of demand,that was followed up by 400 more.
Tiger Cool Express and NFI are the only Reefer operators using cotainers at least on the UP. I recollect Marten had some running but I believe they are a BNSF account. UP does handle some Marten but only Trailers.

kalthoff Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> CR England is for sure heavy into Intermodal,
> specifically reefer containers and the UP. The
> half dozen times a year I see the ZLTG 2 there are
> 20-25 England containers(more in the summer/less
> in the winter). I travel to Southern  California
> on business about three times a year and always
> try to get out to Morongo Casino in Cabazon for
> some train watching. The ZCIG4 always has 15-20
> England containers.
> From what I recall, England's initial order was
> for 750 containers. Because of demand,that was
> followed up by 400 more.
> Tiger Cool Express and NFI are the only Reefer
> operators using cotainers at least on the UP. I
> recollect Marten had some running but I believe
> they are a BNSF account. UP does handle some
> Marten but only Trailers.

Good info, thanks.
I think Marten got out of the container business a few years ago.   Have not seen one on a train in quite some time.
Question:   Can you stay at Morongo and have a good view of the trains from a room?
 

Yes, ask and if nesessary, demand a room facing South-above the fourth floor. The are very accomdating, I've never had a problem. Good Luck!