John Wayne's "Red River"

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When I reflect upon my favorite movies, "Red River" is not just one of my favorite westerns, it's one of my favorite movies, period! It's a western adaptation of "Mutiny on the Bounty". I have used this movie to teach ethics because it profoundly contrasts one's ethical responsibility to fulfill one's commitment with one's moral responsibility to adhere to overarching ethical responsibility. I have yet to see a film that explores this topic as well as "Red River".

In the final scene, Matt brings Dunston's cattle to market in Abilene where they await boarding onto stock cars. That was an excellent way to transport cattle to market then. What has happened since?

I have seen God knows how many trucks on the S/B I-15 on Cajon Pass hauling hogs to market in LA, probably Farmer John. Just beyond the freeway, freight is routinely hauled on one of three sets of railroad tracks. Is it less expensive to move livestock to market on big rigs? Or is there another reason why I no longer see stock cars on freight trains? Is livestock transported via train in other parts of the country?

I have three stock cars now. I will buy at least three more. To my way of thinking, a steam-era freight train ought to have stock cars!



Happy Railroading,

ST

 

[IronBeltKen]

I'm not claiming any expertise on this subject, but...

I think beef cattle are being slaughtered locally these days, because mechanical refrigeration [both on trains and trucks] makes it possible to ship meat economically over long distances. Much easier than hauling live cattle hundreds of miles, and having to stop and let them exercise every 36 hours.

 

[UP2CSX]

Tom, the last regular solid stock car train was the "Farmer John" trains hauled by the UP from Nebraska to the Farmer John plant in Cudahay. The Farmer John company was very proud of the fact that all their pork products came from fresh pork, never frozen, so they paid the money to have hogs shipped all that distance so they could be processed on-site.

The Farmer John trains ran until about 1982, when a number of factors put an end to it. The first was the company being purchased by Hormel, who immediately put an end to the live shipping since it made Farmer John products about 15% more than the competetition. The second was increasingly stringent rules about live animal transport, as Ken alluded to. Animals had to be fed, watered, and rested more frequently. All these facilities had to be maintained by the railroads and the costs were passed on ot the shippers. This rapidly made shipping live animals by rail unprofitable. At the same time, flash freezing technology was developed, so animals could be slaughtered locally and shipped anywhere in the country in mechanical refrigerator cars. The live animals carried by truck generally are being moved in less than 24 hours so don't have to comply with many of the transport rules that applied to railroad movements.

The Farmer John trains were "hot" trains on the UP to avoid any more delay than could be avoided. They had rights over almost every other train on the road, including some passenger trains. There were two trains a week, each averaging about 45 stock cars. They were quite a sight winding their way down Cajon at full track speed with the dynamics whining. It's now a sight long gone but a great one to model.

 

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CSX road slug & UP2CSX,

Thanks for your informative responses. It does make a lot of sense that biological concerns of livestock limit their movement.

I grew up in Orange County, yet as a kid we routinely ventured out to Hesperia, and an area off the 138, to ride motorcycles. God only knows how many trains I've seen traversing Cajon Pass canyons. We used to compare consist size by counting locomotives pulling and helping consists. We used to stand within a few yards as they chugged along. I am sure there must have been stock cars within various consists; however, I probably paid them no never mind. Now that I've rekindled interest in trains, I'd love to see livestock moving to market aboard trains.


Take care,

Tom

 

[ken_23434]

I never thought it was so important for a cow to be well rested, fed and watered right before getting slaughtered.