Absolutely not! It is physically impossible. Each auto carrier has a set of end doors which are closed and padlocked on the outside by the station crew. I am told even the operating crews (conductors/engineers) don't have any keys for the padlocks.
Now, that is one I had not thought about, but should have. It will do its thing as long as the train is moving and until it tmes out after the train has stopped. Thsi also happens in high winds and particularly gusty winds, as in tropical storm type winds.
I'm thinking the battery will be long dead before that. ^_^
If you are thinking about the entire route, almost certainly so. However, there will be stops along the way. Florence for sure, and probably a few other times when meeting other trains.
I agree, but it's only that last stop that matters...
Just like smuggling friends into the drive in movie theater in the trunk of the car and only paying for one person.
In a way yes. But I think the no bathroom plus no climate control plus no meals makes it extremely unlikely and not something that should be worried about.
This method may be used for a dog or cat, although I would never do that with my Archie.
Add Mitt Romney traveling dog joke HERE.
I don't think that is accurate, I recall reading somewhere that someone was able to obtain some medicine that had been accidentally left in a car during the trip. Wish I could remember where I read it...
Sorry, I mis-typed my previous response. This method may NOT be used for a dog or cat or any other live animal.
Perhaps, during the utility stop in Florence, where some of the locals there might have keys? That's the only place they might have time for any searching. I couldn't see them stopping/delaying the train en-route to search for one car out of hundreds to find a medicine bottle. First, they'd need to know which auto carrier it (the target car) is in. I know they keep records of when a car gets loaded/unloaded, but do they also record the specific auto carrier # into which it's loaded? Then, they'd have to find that auto carrier out of 18+ and hope they can find that particular car in the auto carrier. And with the ramps folded up, I'm not it's even possible to get to the "upper deckers."
How would they access the particular autorack without uncoupling the cars? Is there some sort of side door into the racks?Perhaps, during the utility stop in Florence, where some of the locals there might have keys? That's the only place they might have time for any searching. I couldn't see them stopping/delaying the train en-route to search for one car out of hundreds to find a medicine bottle. First, they'd need to know which auto carrier it (the target car) is in. I know they keep records of when a car gets loaded/unloaded, but do they also record the specific auto carrier # into which it's loaded? Then, they'd have to find that auto carrier out of 18+ and hope they can find that particular car in the auto carrier. And with the ramps folded up, I'm not it's even possible to get to the "upper deckers."
Probably would be more effective for Amtrak to call a pharmacy in Florence and have the meds waiting there at the utility stop.
The end doors are on arm braces that allow them to (sort of) "fold" outward, always parallel to the end edge of the carrier and land flat on the outskirts of that edge, exposing the inner body of the carrier. The tire ramps then fold down into place. Someone could get in that way, and not terribly tight a fit, but close enough that I wouldn't do it.How would they access the particular autorack without uncoupling the cars? Is there some sort of side door into the racks?Perhaps, during the utility stop in Florence, where some of the locals there might have keys? That's the only place they might have time for any searching. I couldn't see them stopping/delaying the train en-route to search for one car out of hundreds to find a medicine bottle. First, they'd need to know which auto carrier it (the target car) is in. I know they keep records of when a car gets loaded/unloaded, but do they also record the specific auto carrier # into which it's loaded? Then, they'd have to find that auto carrier out of 18+ and hope they can find that particular car in the auto carrier. And with the ramps folded up, I'm not it's even possible to get to the "upper deckers."
Probably would be more effective for Amtrak to call a pharmacy in Florence and have the meds waiting there at the utility stop.
I'm skeptical that this ever happened.
You beat me to the punch. Twas about to say that it makes sense for the conductor to have the keys. So that the cars can be access en-route in the case of emergencies (like a fire) or I was thinking of an accent.
OK, fair enough. I guess it makes sense if something does happen en-route. I'm not sure though how the containers could be unloaded without the ramps, unless they could have a portable ramp sent to wherever the train is. But I also doubt it's something you would do unless it's absolutely necessary (i.e. a "safety emergency").
