Norfolk Southern Railway and Union Pacific Railroad recently halved the estimated transit time to move a replacement generator from New Kensington, Pa., to Dow Chemical Co.'s Taft, La., plant, according to NS' September newsletter. The Class Is delivered the generator — which the chemical shipper needed to keep the plant operating — in a little less than four days.
Dow officials had considered using a U.S. Army transport plane to carry the generator from Siemens Westinghouse Corp.'s manufacturing plant, but the aircraft fee was too costly. So, the shipper lined up a rail move with NS and UP, which obtained clearances and expedited their interchange to hasten the planned seven-day train trip.
"It was a good example of what teamwork among railroads, divisions and departments can accomplish," said Mary McCoy Smith, a member of NS' clearance bureau.
Source: Progressive Railroading Daily News
