North Avenue yard...

[Cway]

Does anybody have any rhyme or reason as to why North Avenue yard has been so empty lately. It only had a few covered hoppers and a couple of high-side gondolas in it...It usually has some lumber cars and a bunch of boxcars in it. I know that the Tribune yard hasn\'t been as busy lately,but there are still some boxcars around...

Cway

[TBurke]

I noticed the same thing yesterday (12/2/08) while passing by the North Avenue yard around noon.  The yard did look very empty.

Also it was a Tuesday and the Chicago Terminal locomotive was still parked at the end of the spur by the yard office with two UP locomotives blocking its path.  Normally CTR goes out on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Most of CTR\'s business is tied to economic cycles and it is probably taking a hit now.  Their four remaining customers are all tied to the steel products, scrap metal, and construction businesses-all of which have taken hits from the global slowdown.

[TBurke]

Again yesterday around noon the North Avenue yard was mostly empty and the Chicago Terminal SW was tied up by the yard office.  CTR must have moved to an as-needed service versus the scheduled Tuesday and Thursday service.

I hope they survive.

[robertmroman]

The schedule does look to have changed; they were operating on Goose Island last Monday. What with the \"Chicago Tribune\" in trouble also, I wonder if the Union Pacific has also changed its schedule re: the North Avenue yard. That would likely change Chicago Terminal\'s as well.
be well,
bob roman

[raisin]

Yesterday afternoon (Thursday) the engine was not in the yard, so that\'s a good sign.