The Economy

First of all, a very happy Fourth of July!

Just sitting in front of the TV yesterday an interesting news report on CNN HLN showed up. They apparently surveyed the future of the economy in the eyes of the public. Not surprisingly, 60% said that the 2013 economy should be stronger than things are now. Last year, the numbers were flopped and the remaining 39% (Apparently not 40) said that it would recover. This good news has made me want to discuss it and the railroad in general.

I have also noticed a commercial providing support for coal. I hope this will encourage and facilitate more coal transport in the future. More on that soon.

I am not a TV guy. I must have happened to sit in front of one at the right time. I suppose this was a graceful reminder of the many improvements that are happening in society.

Lehigh Spur would be first. We are still without unit rock trains. These have stopped service since 2011; but I do not think it was entirely for economical reasons but for legal reasons. A court ordered moratorium redirected Florida Rock orders to the Cemex facility down south. Apparently while a blast has happened in March, only one train has run, taking away the last of any hoppers from the facility. However, the Cemex Miami Cement Plant shows a piece of improvement. Y220 was the serving local and was seen on the spur with deliveries no more than once a week except when coal trains (V148, V157) came in. The recent schedule change lets Y322, a Graveyard Shift local, work the spur. It has been dedicated for two rounds a week, which shows a bit of confidence and hope of increased activity and the will to continue to develop the Lehigh Spur. The East Rail work is also dedicated now on 5 days to a week, on the infamous Y121 job.

Well, to slow some horses down about new jobs and the like, rock business is not moving here on CSX. Still we have the average 2 to 3 trains a week, and sadly one set of power. Maybe it is the season after all; this winter and spring we were treated to two sets. Though, to cheer that up Q453 and Q452 have handled significantly more lumber, gypsum, and rebar lately.

The Orlando area has begun to receive coal again. After some lag in the coal industry, recent ORLs have frequently reported coal. Recent IDs are N152, N172, and T173. I can bet that this has something to do with the Coal "clean fuel" campaign that I briefed earlier, and I am very happy. Things cycle up and down but to see coal truly recover is wonderful. Miami has benefited with the second coal train in 3 weeks, V157-19. Indiantown is back to being a bustling spot with almost weekly drags.

But the big winner, oh boy... our next door neighbor, the FEC. They are striking and penning deal after deal. The Miami Port lead is almost completely restored and intermodal grade. Just last week contracts have been finally signed for two DEDICATED rock trains per day, Monday-Saturday to serve the Fort Lauderdale Airport's runway expansion. All About Florida is finally about to happen. Just recently for Miami, it was announced that this is about to happen. Similar stuff is planned for the City of WPB, and other places are slowly getting their stations funded. I cannot wait to see the FEC by 2020; it'll have a lot of charisma. In a smaller scale, Allied Chemical now has shop in Jacksonville (Bowden), reported by a couple of railfans.

Though, not to spoil any optimism, but I passed by Homestead and it was desolate. Both warehouse spaces, one connected and one disconnected to the old time SAL track have For Lease signs up. AFEC and the old lumber/scrap track are empty. While it would take quite a spark to make the area a true rail hub, there is hope that before long these spots will take in cars and help in the mission of making goods move efficiently. I don't know about anyone's thoughts but something tells me that place will be about as active as the Tompkins area as blogged previously; just give it 10 years.