The Last Ride

There is no remembrance of former things,
Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come
By those who will come after.

– Ecclesiastes 1:11

Even rail cars come to an end.

Rules 88 and 90 from the Association of American Railroads define the maximum age for a railcar that can be interchanged between railroads. In general a rail car cannot be interchanged after 40 years of service, but there are exceptions that can extend this to 50 or 65 years.

These cars were going to a premature end.

Built in 1996, they were less than 30 years old.

However, the need for coal cars has diminished dramatically recently, and one assumes these aluminum rail cars are no longer needed. Some accounting program has decided that their scrap value is greater than their potential reuse minus the cost of taking up space in a yard or an old branch line. The math has doomed them.

Towed on the end of an eastbound CPKC freight train, they were no doubt destined for the Gerdau Ameristeel facility in Selkirk, Manitoba. Formerly known as Mandak Metals, this sprawling complex processes a massive amount of railcars, automobiles, bridges and other metals (including aluminum and copper), and produces recycled steel among other materials. They are the largest employer in Selkirk and the only Gerdau facility in Canada.

A few swipes with a black spray can and the reporting mark is crossed out, shouting to all: “dead man walking”, a rail car doomed to destruction.

Pour one out for MILX 11510, 11520, 11522, and 11608, on their way to the fires of Selkirk.

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