LONG-DISTANCE COAL TRANSPORT: UNIT TRAINS OR SLURRY PIPELINES

This Bureau of Mines publication presents an analysis of information related to the transportation of bituminous coal by unit trains and slurry pipelines. Even for short hauls from mines to markets, transport costs frequently account for between one-third and one-half of the delivered price of coal. Minimizing these costs has become an even more critical objective for hauls from the western mines than for hauls from farther east. Factors related to minimizing costs and transporting the weatern coal receive special attention. Although no general rule of preference is likely to be developed that can be applied to all shipments, both rail and pipeline service will be needed on an increasing scale. The study should provide useful background information and analysis for government and industry in approaching investment decisions in the mining and transportation industries.

• Corporate Authors:

  Bureau of Mines

  Mining and Safety Research Center, 4800 Forbes Avenue
  Pittsburgh, PA  United States  15213
• Authors:
  • Campbell, T C
  • Katell, S
• Publication Date: 1975

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: 31 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Capital investments; Coal; Coal industry; Competition; Costs; Freight traffic; Investments; Pipelines; Slurry pipelines; Transportation modes; Unit trains
• Uncontrolled Terms: Cost analysis
• Subject Areas: Finance; Freight Transportation; Pipelines; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00129156
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Bureau of Mines
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 19 1976 12:00AM