I always thought the "Unit Train" concept required the train to stay together
throughout one or more cycles. On CPR they started with the Fording coal
trains in 1969 or 1970. No switching was involved at either end; the train set
returned empty to the mine unchanged for another load. Other roads may have
had earlier examples.
"Solid Trains" of one car type and commodity go way back in history, the silk
trains being just one example. But they did not return to the loading point in
the identical formation. Most solid trains were broken up at the destination.
Returning empty cars were typically given low priority or reloaded individually
with goods that had to go somewhat in the return direction.
I don't have certain knowledge of British practice, but suspect only the
modern "mgr trains" meet this more limited definition of a unit trains. I
believe mgr is short for merry-go-round".
John
---In cpsig@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, <mile179kingston@...> wrote:
Interesting thread. So with our unit train definition of: same cargo, same
origin, same destination, same car type throughout the train...did CP operate
'em in the 50's?
Good suggestion of the silk trains for inclusion. Technically, they meet the
above criteria. But...not a long train. Kept short for speed. Unit trains are
not kept short for speed, at least when hauling bulk commodities. They have to
travel between two points able to handle entire trains to make them
cost-effective.
In the 50's, CP was not a unit train railway in my mind. Crew changes, motive
power and van changes, and yarding of trains en route, made up of individual
blocks and cars that could occur at major terminals in large cities like
Winnipeg, Toronto etc.
Still waiting for an example. What about ore trains? Also, should their be a
train length (# of cars) to add to the criteria?
Eric Gagnon
Kingston, Ontario
Just blogged CP's Magical Multimark at:
http://tracksidetreasure.blogspot.ca
---In cpsig@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, <mikesue.salfi@...> wrote:
Hello all,
Today you see many unit trains, the one that comes to mind mostly is a train
with only tank cars. I am wondering if this occurred in the 1950's as well.
I have seen video's of trains made up solely of tank cars or refrigerator cars
on the Union Pacific and hauled by steam locomotives, would the same have
happened in Canada on the CPR?
Thanks,
--
Mike and Sue Salfi
Kitchener, ON
