What is everyone's opinion on the shortline boom in real rairoads that really took off in the 1990's? They seem easrier to model than a class 1 but they lack the offical railroad atmosphere that previous Class 1 operators gave to the lines. For example, where I live, RailAmerica now operates the former White River Division of the Missouri Pacific in northern Arkansas. The local traffic is ok and the empty coal trains are fine but since the major thru freight is gone, the line seems like nothing more than a glorified industrial siding. No more hotbox detectors next to the tracks, no more varied power hook ups like SD40-2's, they have not run here in 10-15 years. The shortline is good in preserving local rail service but to a railfan, it can be one of your worst nightmares because the variety is gone. Former rail stops that were important to a thru freight now are maybe nothing more than a maintenance shed. Grass and weeds tend to grow up more on the mainlines. Train service staff is cut to bare minimum, it all seems like such a waste. Yards and sidings that were used to manage traffic now just set empty. Even the rolling stock is rusty and worn out looking, not the color and variety that was on thru freights whick to me represented the strenght of American business and industry. The variety of rolling stock is also limited to mainly covered hoppers. No more auto racks, piggy back cars, HI-Cube 80' auto parts cars, TANKTRAIN tank cars, etc, etc.. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?
- posted
20 years ago