[GreenKeys] When hobbies cross over...

[Bruce Gentry]

Railroads are very unique businesses with regard to regulations and 
prices. Because of extreme abuses they committed in the 19th century, 
freight prices are regulated  by what is being shipped as well as size 
and weight. I never used REA for purchases from Fair Radio, but G&G in 
New York offered it and the prices were quite reasonable. It also 
offered another important advantage to me. I was in high school at the 
time, and had parents who were hostile to my hobby interests. The 
station master would hold the package for me rather than sending it out 
for delivery. I would call to see if it had arrived, and then arrainged 
with a friend to pick it up. REA went under for two reasons. Most REA 
freight was shipped on passenger trains, and they were disappearing in 
the late 60s. That did leave freight trains to carry  packages, but 
those trains were changing to hauling specific commodities rather than a 
variety of freight in box cars. There wasn't enough traffic for REA 
after about 1970 and they went under. Amtrak does carry packages, but 
except for their larger stations, it is inconvenient and they aren't 
trying to increase it.

      Bruce Gentry, KA2IVY


> -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -
>
> *From: *"Ralph Irish" <w8roi at wowway.com>
> *To: *"W9DDD John" <w9ddd at tapr.org>
> *Sent: *Thursday, November 28, 2019 8:48:47 AM
> *Subject: *Re: [GreenKeys] When hobbies cross over...
>
> Does anyone remember a company known as the Railroad Express Agency, 
> or REA?  They shipped 'goods' from one
> point to another, often using various railroads that were still 
> operating.  One unique thing about them was that they
> charged you based on  WHAT  was being shipped in addition to the 
> weight and size.  A 25 pound box of screws and
> washers would cost one amount, but if those screws and washers were 
> fastened to something, then the price went up.
>
>
> REA went out of business not long after that.  They had some kind of 
> Depot in the Metro Detroit area, and that is where
> my packages were 'held ransom' until I paid that 'surcharge'.
>
>
>
> Happy Thanksgiving to all!  Not yet certain how we will be celebrating 
> today.  Somehow, though, food will be involved!
>
> Ralph - W8ROI
>
> -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -
>
>
>
>
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