In July, I need to get from ALton, IL to Moline, Il, one way. Would love to do this by train, and I've noticed that there on rails on both sides of the Mississippi River that runs between the two. But I've never seen a passenger trainon those rails. Does anyone know if it is possible to book passage on a freight train? Thanks! Bad Bill
Posted by reggierail (Member # 26) on :
Since most freights don't have a caboose anymore, the only place you could ride would be in the locomotive. FRA rules forbid guests in the Cab so I would say you're not going to be able to. Reggie
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Posted by BADBILL (Member # 857) on :
Thanks for your response!
Posted by reggierail (Member # 26) on :
No problem, Badbill. Even as an employee, it's hard to get a ride in the cab. When I worked for Amtrak, I tried everything I could think of to no avail. The closest I got was to have a tour of the cab while stationary. Reggie
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Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
I've often wondered why, if Amtrak can pull freight in its Express cars, why can't freight trains pull a few passenger cars?
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
Posted by Geoff Mayo (Member # 153) on :
The freight railroads were glad to be shot of the passengers 30 years ago (hence Amtrak). I doubt if they'd be willing to have them back again. Grain and coal can't complain at being late!
Geoff Mayo.
Posted by DC2001 (Member # 542) on :
Mr. Toy, I've wondered the same thing. Geoffm is correct; unfortunately, the freight railroads would literally run scared from any such plan (just look at the opposition Amtrak faces just trying to add new express-carrying trains, such as the Skyline Connection). Opposition here would be a million times worse!
While I realize any such ideas are unrealistic, Amtrak has paid the major freight railroads to move (empty) express boxcars in their regular trains; wonder what UP would charge to move two "loads" (Superliner Coaches) from Salt lake City to Los Angeles?