What's next, a RRX at your local Wal-Mart?

Have you seen the ads in your favorite periodicals? The ones that hype the Railroads as clean and fuel efficient modes of logistics transportation. Well they have some 'splainin' to do. In fairness and impartiality I will include links to the US major rail carriers BNSF and CSX so, you can see for yourself, where I received my information.

First Trucking 101.biz ,would like to thank ,Harmony on the Highways for sharing their blog space this week for this industry information.

Now back to the railroads. Their claim is they can haul tons and tons of freight 400+ miles on just ONE gallon of diesel. I'm not a scientist but, if this technology is being used today, why in the world is gas and diesel so expensive and a barrel of oil is hovering at $50. I drive a truck, running nearly 80,000 lbs (40 tons) every time I load, I have a 550 HP motor with good highway gears and I am barely getting 5 mpg! So, BNSF, CSX and the others are trying to tell me, that they pull tons and tons with multiple 1,000 HP+ motors, that kind of distance on 1 measly gallon. Well, you can see why I am skeptical. I have done plenty of research lately on deisel fuel economy and nowhere have I found supporting evidence of this claim. I will confirm, that the railroads as well the trucking industry, are making great strides in reducing emissions. The green technology being used in diesel engines is contributing to lower carbon off-sets. A good source of information about this can be found by visiting the Facts About SCR website.

There is a diesel GURU out there, by the Name of Johnathan Goodwin, who has mastered big HP with great fuel economy. Mr. Goodwin's best efforts have only(used lightly) managed, at best, 100 mpg. He has only done this with passenger type vehicles, mainly SUVs and Hummers. You can Google Mr. Goodwin or check out this link about him.

The railroad and the trucking industry have had there disputes in the past and in their competition for freight, it is heating up again, therefore, they make such claims. As a driver, I rely on freight being readily available, for me to haul. The railroads big incentive, is that they can haul tons and tons at one time. The two industry types squabble frequently, however, they need each other to make the overall freight business more efficient. In my trucking career I have taken many loads to and from the rail yards. This is where the trucking industry boast! You can't get a train to the dock of your local Wal-Mart. There are dual service warehouses and I have been to a few that unload the truck freight and put it directly onto a rail car, and vice versa. There are also semi-trailers that are suited for both rail car and ship stacking. This only supports my statement that, they need each other. So, while truckers complain that the rail is robbing them of miles, the railroad counters, they loose freight due to the limited availability of rail car docks.

Trucks and the railroads together, are a vital part of the commerce efficiency equation. The change to greener practices for both sides is beneficial to all and should continue. If the rail knows a secrete about fuel efficiency, then they should be letting all of us know, especially the big three in Detroit.

I still hold my doubts about their claims, but I do hold a hope for the future that the two will sync to improve freight delivery. I just can't see Wal- Mart shoppers having to wait for a train to pass or to do drop and swaps before they can get into the parking lot! After all, have you seen women when they get in shopping mode? Look Out!

Thanks for reading and watch for crossing guards and flashing red lights.