Why do I see trains with other freight companies on rail lines that aren’t owned by them?

Dale-E

I can only speak for Railroads out this way, of course. Anti-Trust laws have obligated rails to lease track time and space to their competitors. Certain big producers have felt trapped by the one Railroad that naturally serves their plants. They have lobbied and won because of the mega rail mergers that, in the past, were ruled against, but 20 years ago or more were approved by the ICC.

Martin

Some lines lease to other lines.

Old Man Dirt

Rolling stock (train cars) are covered under the rules/laws and regulatory authorities (DOT). Under these laws also there are stipulations about the operation of a train on rails not owned by the locomotive owner. So one railroad can operate a train on tracks they do not own. Some companies operate with out actually owning track such as AMTRAC. But mixed into the question/answer is that often units are not repainted just because the company leasing the unit or purchasing the unit have repainted the unit yet. This is of course true for other rolling stock. It was not uncommon when I was still train watching to see rolling stock from "fallen flags" still carrying the markings for those now gone railroads. These regulations also have stipulations about rolling stock which does not originate in the country in which the train is operating too. Meaning sometimes rolling stock from other countries can be seen in consists. The primary reason is that reloading the rail cars is too expensive to do just because the load is leaving the originating railroads lines and that often rolling stock is reloaded with the next out going load available. Transporting rolling stock back to the originator is dead weight and railroads hate carting around empties. Now some times it is about liabilities! One special train I am aware of had locomotives from a different line pick up the train because of insurance liabilities. One rail road did not wish to assume liabilities for possible damage done by another line. So a locomotive, crew and a crew car was dispatched to the point of origin. The load and other equipment being used for the train was inspected by the railroad assuming the insurance liabilities before it left the point of origin. It was a "special movement" and subject to specific allowances in federal regulations concerning such matters.

☣ - ₲ⱠɆ₦Đ₳ - ☣

Rather than update their locomotives CP RAIL leases units from other railways. It's been going on for years. On the CP RAIL main line through Canada it's not uncommon to see units from three different rail companies on one 8 - 10,000 ft train.

champer

It's not uncommon to see "visitors" on your rail tracks. Sometimes train operators will lease or hire locomotives or rolling stock from other companies if they're short of equipment at the time. In addition, operators lease the right to run over lines from the owners. As it happens here the line and track equipment is owned and maintained by a company who runs no revenue earning stock at all, though they do run maintenance, repair, survey trains etc. over their lines. Several train operators run over their lines, paying for the privilege.

Anonymous

The other companies LEASE the lines. It is COMMON among rail companies. It is ADDITIONAL income to the rail company who owns the tracks.

Rona Lachat

I was railfanning the CP line the other day and saw a train with strictly BNSF locos. SO WHAT Railroads can lease or buy and sell to each other. They do not HAVE TO repaint the minute they have them. and no trackage rights have been granted to other companies REALLY you KNOW THIS. doubtful. they check in with you daily for every train? For every locomotive. Did you check crew identity too to see who is paying them to "drive". Railroads can allow others to use their tracks. It often happens when there is some disruption to a regular route. Could be construction or just an accident tying up some piece of track. What the cost charged is between the two railroads. CP was trying to merge with NS a few years back. Do not fear Warren Buffet still gets to keep his billions no matter which way it goes. Ship by rail, truck or pipeline and he gets a cut. You were just watching a train go past. You really do not know very much about who owns which locomotive or car . You are assuming they are painted the colors of the current owner. You also do not know WHO (which corporation) is in the drivers seat. CP rails tracks in the US go way past Wisconsin. If locomotive is a temporary lease not much point to repaint it.

Charlotte Wickersham

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