08-03-2010, 02:42 AM
I have some doubt how switching was and is done in Houston.
The class 1 RR have their classification yards. That is not subject of this discussion.
The harbor area is served by the PTRA. The other area is served by the HBT. The PTRA has been founded by the city to support the harbor. The HBT has been founded by the big boys about 100 years ago to get rid of the burden of local switching.
Where is the need for e.g. SP(UP) and/or AT&SF(BNSF) to serve local industry spurs with their own switchers?
Question 1: That would mean I shall not run SP(UP) or AT&SF(BNSF) engines at all on my layout but HBT.
The old conflict between Houston and Galveston lead to the ATSF route passing Houston in the west. ATSF attached to Houston later from the south via a long detour and some tracking rights from the west to get their prominent passenger trains in and out. But ATSF did never build a significant of network of rails in Houston that could connect to a remarkable number of industries.
Question 2: If my industry area is not served by HBT, would AT&SF (BNSF) not the last of all choices? Wouldn't it be much more realistic to serve it by SP (UP) because they have the history of serving the city while ATSF only connected to the city?
The HBT has been founded about 100 years ago. I read UP and BNSF split the engines in 1997.
Question 3: Did they close the company and painted the engines in their colors and use them now free in other locations? Who does the job HBT did in e.g. 1990 in 2005?
ps. I did not name all the predecessors of SP(UP) and ATSF(BNSF) like TNO etc. to simplify the discussion but stick with the current names.
The class 1 RR have their classification yards. That is not subject of this discussion.
The harbor area is served by the PTRA. The other area is served by the HBT. The PTRA has been founded by the city to support the harbor. The HBT has been founded by the big boys about 100 years ago to get rid of the burden of local switching.
Where is the need for e.g. SP(UP) and/or AT&SF(BNSF) to serve local industry spurs with their own switchers?
Question 1: That would mean I shall not run SP(UP) or AT&SF(BNSF) engines at all on my layout but HBT.
The old conflict between Houston and Galveston lead to the ATSF route passing Houston in the west. ATSF attached to Houston later from the south via a long detour and some tracking rights from the west to get their prominent passenger trains in and out. But ATSF did never build a significant of network of rails in Houston that could connect to a remarkable number of industries.
Question 2: If my industry area is not served by HBT, would AT&SF (BNSF) not the last of all choices? Wouldn't it be much more realistic to serve it by SP (UP) because they have the history of serving the city while ATSF only connected to the city?
The HBT has been founded about 100 years ago. I read UP and BNSF split the engines in 1997.
Question 3: Did they close the company and painted the engines in their colors and use them now free in other locations? Who does the job HBT did in e.g. 1990 in 2005?
ps. I did not name all the predecessors of SP(UP) and ATSF(BNSF) like TNO etc. to simplify the discussion but stick with the current names.
Reinhard