2020 toilet tissue express set spotted?

[Albert in N]

   Bachmann 2-6-2 is pulling 3 high cube cars with 50 foot boxcar and caboose.  That would be a CV-19 TP shortage train set. Two MTL high cubes are on rear track near wall with regular freight pulled by Kato F-7s.  Just wondering if railroads are actually using high cube boxcars for shipping TP?

[nkalanaga]

Considering the low density, and relatively low value, I'd imagine they always have.  Maybe not the true "high cube" cars, but a lot of the taller-than-normal cars were used in paper service.

[samusi01]

Locally, a mix... mostly CN boxcars though. Link is to an older picture but not much has changed.

https://www.railpictures.net/photo/378763/

[squirrelhunter]

On the Modern Freight Car list they apparently noted the BN had a series of 86 foot auto parts boxcars dedicated to toilet paper service out of Lewiston Idaho.

[Albert in N]

   Thanks gents for the info on prototype boxcars for Toilet Paper!  As an explanation for the train set title, the shortage of TP in the USA seems to be a universal event.  Back before the shopping restrictions, I often looked at the entry level Bachmann train sets at Hobby Lobby while my wife was choosing quilt fabric.  Anyway, Bachmann offers such entry sets as "Thunder Valley" and "Yard Boss".  I thought it would be interesting to see a "Toilet Tissue Express" entry train set.  Of course, it would have the usual entry level analog 0-6-0, 2-6-2, or GP-40 locomotive.   Maybe I have too much time on my hands with the current stay at home curfew.  Please do not think I am critical of Bachmann.  Frankly, I think that anyone offering entry level train sets should be praised as long as they actually run.  Like most, my first train set was a starter set when I was a kid.  Now the starter sets offer some in N scale, HO, or Lionel 3-rail O27.  Yes I still enjoy running trains, even the starter ones.  Sure, I now have some nice scale N scale.  After all, my first N scale was an Atlas set in 1969 (Rivarossi E-8 pulling a few freight cars).  Prior to that, I had American Flyer two rail S (first set at age 6 in 1952), early HO, and Lionel 027 and their version of O (but 3 rail).  Running trains has been relaxing for me, which is a tremendous stress reliever.

[Rossford Yard]

Somewhere I read where several 86 foot Hi Cubes have been converted to toilet paper service, a light weight load, so why not use the biggest capacity cars available.

In honor of the current situation, even though I model 2000, I have added cars to my switch list, doubling the box cars headed in and out of my "Stankey-Brown Toilet Paper" warehouse/plant.

[Roger Holmes]

I finally read an explanation of the TP shortage other than hoarding.  I hadn't thought about it but most of us were using our employers' commercial quality (one-ply) TP during the day while at work. Now those of us working from home (or those who are unfortunately unemployed) have to find our own TP to meet those needs .  Most stores only stock consumer quality 2-ply.  Bottom line we have traded our industrial grade bathroom time for the comfort of home and TP rationing.

[peteski]

I finally read an explanation of the TP shortage other than hoarding.  I hadn't thought about it but most of us were using our employers' commercial quality (one-ply) TP during the day while at work. Now those of us working from home (or those who are unfortunately unemployed) have to find our own TP to meet those needs .  Most stores only stock consumer quality 2-ply.  Bottom line we have traded our industrial grade bathroom time for the comfort of home and TP rationing.

I'm really not convinced about the info in that study.  Maybe people dislike public bathrooms, and hold "it" in until getting home. Yes, I'm sure there is some truth about  the TP usage going up in homes because people are stuck at home, but I think that most of the hoarding was due to panic. Just like the other items in grocery stores: There are many more empty shelves than just TP.  For example, pasta, canned goods (like soups, tuna, Spam, ramen noodles, peanut butter, etc.) are usually scooped up fast. So is bottled water and bread.  Well, at least stock of some those items is starting to stabilize with more items remaining on the shelves by the closing time.  Also, it is not just TP shortage, but most paper and disposable products: For example Kleenex, napkins, paper places, and cups are also in constant short supply (even weeks into the pandemic).  This cannot all be blamed on people pooping more at home. 

[squirrelhunter]

Peteski, do the same math on people who used to eat out one or more times a day fine or more days a week- if you had to start making 5 to 15 more meals (at this assumed one person) at home a week, how much more food would you need to buy?

Plus, many stores are rationing goods to the point you only get 1 item of certain types, and there still isn't enough supply. The grocery supply chain isn't designed to meet 100% of usage for food and other products, and they are being asked to right now.

[Maletrain]

I have to agree with Squirrelhunter about people using a lot more food and paper products at home because they are not eating and pooping away from home.  I can see the effect on my credit card already, and I am retired - so my eating away from home was already far less than when I was working.  Heck, when I was working, I usually woke up around 4:45, left for work about 5:00, got there around 6:00, did some work to line-up my day and then took a breakfast break from 6:30 to 7:00, said "hi" to the supervisor when he trudged-in at 8:30, went to a restaurant for lunch for about 45 minutes somewhere around noon, then left work about 6:00 pm and arrive home about 7:30 pm.  All I was eating at home was a "snack" before bed.

Now, "squirrelhunter" my question to you is whether squirrels will be extinct in your vicinity by the time they let us out again?  And, can I have your recipe for Brunswick Stew?

[peteski]

I guess working the night shift and living in my parent's basement skews my views a bit. 
 (Just joking about the parent's basement, but my workshop *IS* in my basement, and I do spend good chunk of time there.)
I also live alone, have a strange diet, and don't eat out in restaurants much.  My eating habits have not changed much since  the pandemic started. Actually, I started eating out (take-out) more than I did before.    So I'm bucking any trends, or fit into any statistical averages. I'm an individual!  Just being peteski  . . .

[porkypine52]

Those high-cube cars were used a bunch at GE Appliance Park in Louisville KY.  Used to see them, when I was hauling trailers out of there.  Washers, driers, refrigerators and freezers were shipped to West Coast.  Big volume, but low weight items.  Loaded by clamp type forklift.  ALWAYS watch where they are and where you are, those warehouse are BIG, the forklifts have right of way and they are making time.

[kschmidt626]

Spotted this Toilet Paper car being readied for service.  Hopefully more join in the hot extra train.  But not to hot so the paper doesn't burn

Keith

[MK]

Make sure there is no rain in the forecast. 

[cjm413]

  Thanks gents for the info on prototype boxcars for Toilet Paper!  As an explanation for the train set title, the shortage of TP in the USA seems to be a universal event.  Back before the shopping restrictions, I often looked at the entry level Bachmann train sets at Hobby Lobby while my wife was choosing quilt fabric.  Anyway, Bachmann offers such entry sets as "Thunder Valley" and "Yard Boss".  I thought it would be interesting to see a "Toilet Tissue Express" entry train set.  Of course, it would have the usual entry level analog 0-6-0, 2-6-2, or GP-40 locomotive.   Maybe I have too much time on my hands with the current stay at home curfew.  Please do not think I am critical of Bachmann.  Frankly, I think that anyone offering entry level train sets should be praised as long as they actually run.  Like most, my first train set was a starter set when I was a kid.  Now the starter sets offer some in N scale, HO, or Lionel 3-rail O27.  Yes I still enjoy running trains, even the starter ones.  Sure, I now have some nice scale N scale.  After all, my first N scale was an Atlas set in 1969 (Rivarossi E-8 pulling a few freight cars).  Prior to that, I had American Flyer two rail S (first set at age 6 in 1952), early HO, and Lionel 027 and their version of O (but 3 rail).  Running trains has been relaxing for me, which is a tremendous stress reliever.

Bachmann could call them "$#!++er Valley" and "Turd Boss", also include some cars with Texas & Pacific and Peoria & Pekin Union reporting marks...