Eastern Railroad Discussion > A return to normal? 86 foot High Cube boxcars NS/Elkhart, IN

Just catching up on VR Elkhart, IN/ NS railcam for today. Enjoyed seeing a westbound entering the yard with 6 86' high cube ato parts cars on the head on.

Happened at  14:26:36 EDT, today.(06/24/2021)

I haven't seen these cars for several months, meaning the plant(s) they service have been shutdown(?).

I do not know which NS train handles these cars, but they had been regulars in the past.

I believe these 4 door cars are either Ford or Crhyslers parts? Thought I had read 8 door cars are GM parts. I recall seeing the Oldsmobile plant in Laning, MI (many years ago), and that plant had factory doors placed for eight door highcubes.

Anyway, a sign of things returning to normal? I hope so.

Jack
Kalamazoo, MI

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The 86 ft cars were always neat. Thanks for sharing. Saw some a few years ago stored in WV way off a main line. Would have liked to have seen them put them in there

Gary

Posted from iPhone

Great catch! These tend to be pretty old cars, maybe over 50 years (1971 build)? NS may have them in a captive on line service, or is the 50 year limit in interchange service still valid...
Glad to see these, a reminder of other days.

boxcar1954 Wrote:
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> Great catch! These tend to be pretty old cars,
> maybe over 50 years (1971 build)? NS may have them
> in a captive on line service, or is the 50 year
> limit in interchange service still valid...
> Glad to see these, a reminder of other days.

Some 86 footers were built in the 1980's.

SantaFeRuss

SantaFeRuss Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> boxcar1954 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Great catch! These tend to be pretty old cars,
> > maybe over 50 years (1971 build)? NS may have
> them
> > in a captive on line service, or is the 50 year
> > limit in interchange service still valid...
> > Glad to see these, a reminder of other days.
>
> Some 86 footers were built in the 1980's.
>
> SantaFeRuss

Will we ever see 21st Century "replacement" 86' cars?

John

Probably no new 86', the auto makers are locating stamping plants adjacent to assembly plants, no need to ship high volume, low weight parts.
go

I doubt they're even in auto parts service...many of the few remaning cars left have been/were in peatmoss, toilet paper, and appliance service...this because of changes in the auto manufacturing process.

Thye make cars out of peat moss and toilet paper?

Fr8engineer Wrote:
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> I doubt they're even in auto parts service...many
> of the few remaning cars left have been/were in
> peatmoss, toilet paper, and appliance
> service...this because of changes in the auto
> manufacturing process.

I’d be willing to bet they are in auto service. We still run them to KC. I had 75 loads last week. All hi cubes.

Posted from iPhone