TRAIN TONNAGE

[steveiez]

I know it varies but what is the average weight of a manifest train on the main line?

[Batman]

4000 to 9000 tons. 

12000 to 18000 tons for a loaded coal train.

[lwjabo]

The weight would vary to much to give and average. Plus each district has it's own tonnage restrictions. What would be a heavy train say between Cincinnati and Atlanta would be different say from Atlanta to Jacksonville. The old Knoxville or Tennessee division would never take a train from Georgia with more than 150 cars. Yet while the tonnage between ratting between Cleveland Tn and John Seveier is much higher than Inman to Cleveland. Often in the old Souther days we would combine two empty coal trains and take Cleveland and there they would divide the train before leaving for Knoxville. One very cold night we left Atlanta and at Forrestville in the sidding they had a empty coal train we added to ours and took to Cleveland. There was ice in the train lines and the pressure never got up to where it should. Finaly as we arrived in Cleveland all the brakes had released. Simply we were told to do it and we did. That was the way it was. There was no if's or but's. We tied up the main line for hours just trying to move the train. Had to drag it out of the siding at Berwin and it's down hill north of Berwin. Often we would pick up cars at Forrestville going to Knoxville on train 140. Also pick up cars on other trains for Chattanooga. The tonnage ratting between Forrestville and Chattanooga is much higher than from Atlanta to Forrestville. Migh add the tonnage is close to correct than when I hired. They simply gave the same tonnage for all loads. Now with better computers and closer real tonnage for a car. Back then one train showing a less tonnage rating and with better engines might slip down on Braswell where a heavery show tonnage train may go over it faster.