Why are there so many abandoned train cars?

Apparently, the freight train business is declining, and therefore the railroads don't need so many cars. So they park them on sidings, as rail yards don't have enough room to keep all of the extra cars. Here's an article about a line of autoracks parked in this manner in Indiana, which also explains this question.



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Railcars are expensive to build, and their lifespan is decades long. When they aren't being used they are parked somewhere because it's more economical to store them until they're needed rather than scrap them. If everything is right in the world, they won't sit at all, Vreeland said.

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In such situations, when a railroad abandons the line, it gives up its easement rights to use the land and “fee simple” – complete and exclusive – ownership reverts to the underlying landowner.

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“It comes out in shreds as small as your fist. The scrap steel from BART cars is sold to mills to create new products like rebar. The aluminum and copper are shipped to smelters and foundries to make new aluminum airplane and car parts, and copper wiring for home appliances and electronics.

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As per an item in Robb Report, the newest status symbol is to do it like they did 100 years ago, and be rich enough to have your own private train car. Indeed, wealthy people yearning to embrace their inner Commodore Vanderbilts are discovering a new (but old) method of luxury travel.

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The Queen's private carriage includes a bathroom complete with a full-sized bathtub. Carriages are also available for staff, including sleeping quarters. Two locomotives are designated for use on the train, and a third is available.

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The quick answer is 30-50 years in the United States. Indeed, some railroad cars can rack up some fairly impressive lifespans, but there is a catch. Generally speaking, a railroad can maintain and operate a piece of equipment for as long as it sees fit, but it may be subject to rules and limitations.

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On average, a train car costs between $100,000 and $200,000. Some train cars may cost more or less than this depending on the factors mentioned above. When purchasing a train car, it is essential to compare prices from different sellers to get the best deal.

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What happens to toilet waste on trains? While aeroplanes dumping waste onto the ground is an urban myth, trains, on the other hand, are a different story. While modern trains won't litter the tracks with human excrement, the traditional method did just that. This is what was known as a hopper toilet.

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Do trains drop waste on the tracks? Not anymore. In the US until the 1960's, some toilets emptied directly onto the tracks. A sign was posted over the toilet reminding passengers not to flush while the train was on the station.

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A train engine requires about a hundred litres of fuel to get it started. So it wouldn't be economical if the engine is stopped and started frequently. This apart, if the engine is stopped, the moving parts' lubrication will also come to a halt.

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CSX #8888, an SD40-2, ran away under power without a crew after the engineer incorrectly set the locomotive's dynamic brake and was unable to get back into the locomotive after it began moving.

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To make your train car into a functional, livable home, you'll need to make some renovations. At a minimum, you'll need to install insulation and electricity. If you're planning to have a functional bathroom space, you'll also need to install plumbing.

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Most will be scrapped, but some will be purchased privately. Typical prices for steel-bodied boxcars and cabooses run between $2,000 and $4,000. Wooden cars, when they can be found, are generally cheaper.

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As far as I'm aware, there's no legal limit. Passenger trains do not normally exceed 12 cars (around 900 feet, dependent on rolling stock type), but many are much shorter than this.

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P lans for the Queen to be transferred from Balmoral to London on the Royal Train were axed over safety fears, it has been reported. One of the train carriages had been modified into a hearse with wide doors and a rotating table to carry the coffin.

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