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Hi all---The "Flexi" refers to the flexibility
of the service. Both Flexi-van and Flexi-flo indicated the intermodal nature of
the service provided, and the ability to meet special needs in regards to lading
transfer.
The Flexi-van process allowed for the easy (for
the time) truck-rail-truck transfer, and the Flexi-flo allowed the cars to be
loaded from silos, truck, barges or any other container with the loading
equipment, and to be unloaded and transferred just as easily. I have seen a
number of photos showing Flexiflos sitting on a siding with just a wheeled
unloader transferring the material to waiting trucks. No special site was
needed, any siding or railhead with truck access would suffice. THAT is
flexibility!
The comparison to the INFLEXIBILITY of prior
cars (box cars, covered hoppers that required below-ground or elaborate transfer
systems, etc.) was used to display the advantages of the two NYC "Flexi"
systems.
Have a great holiday weekend,
Patrick
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