Not be be a downer, but this illustrates one reason why boxcars have lost much of the warehouse business to highway trailers. In order for the railroad to switch the loading dock, all loading / unloading activity must come to a halt. Then, only a comparatively small number of railcars can be spotted lengthwise along the dock, whereas trailers are backed in, allowing more "cubic foot capacity" to be accessible. Lastly, forklifts move straight in and out of a trailer, whereas boxcars require the forklift operator to turn left or right once inside the doorway (extra time needed to maneuver).
|
|