Rural Grain elevator shipments

[allstarr62]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone out there would no where a smaller rural grain elevator normally ships their grain to in railcars. Do they ship them off to larger grain distibutors/elevators ? Do they ship them to a barge facility on a river? do they ship them to a larger yard for a unit grain train. I am wanting to create a realistic shipment for my model railroad waybill and would like to know if anyone would have specifics. Thanks in advance. Rick

 

[bnsf971]

If you're talking about modern, "now" time, there are very, very few small elevators still functioning. Almost all product is trucked to larger facilities for bulk shipment.

 

[allstarr62]

I am looking more like 1970s to 1990s.

 

[bnsf971]

This study, while not specific as far as transportation and transloading, is good info.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/RailRatesforGrainShipmentsSummary.pdf

Also, the how and where changed dramatically during the time you are looking at. Prior to deregulation, there were many more small elevators, and a lot of the grain was loaded into 40 foot boxcars. Jumbo covered hoppers were not in universal use, and the lighter rail in the grain belt couldn't tolerate the weight of the bigger cars.
As time went on during the period you are asking about, smaller elevators closed, and shipping went more and more from domestic to international shipping by the mega-elevators.

 

[allstarr62]

So in that era I guess they just shipped their loaded cars to larger elevators to unload?

 

[bnsf971]

So in that era I guess they just shipped their loaded cars to larger elevators to unload?

That, or sent to load onto barges to ship.

 

[allstarr62]

Thank You bnsf971!