Why shouldn the port construct its own intermodal railyard?
Bob Mann: Rail yards are “delay machines” in the railroad business, any car in the yard is NOT making money. There are only three reasons to construct any yard tracks at all, they are: 1. Storage of terminal owned container and specialty train cars for quick access by any shipper. In other words, car inventory and supply might be helped with a few storage tracks. Please note however that these are not revenue tracks. 2. A small engine house, fuel and repair facility would make the terminal attractive to contract operators. Repairs come under two categories, RIP-rolling-repair which is done by all carriers to minor defects to equipment. Back shop repairs which handle major overhaul. 3. Sorting of freight cars for local movement, again something done quickly on five or six tracks. Bottom line, aside from a few tracks to make up trains or break down trains, and a possible engine or RIP track. No yard in the classic sense needs to be built anywhere. MJ: Why should JaxPort and the City of J
