Why 737 Fuselages Are Delivered To The Boeing Factory On Trains

In certain markets, airlines and train operating companies directly compete with each other for passengers. However, in other domains, rail transportation plays a vital role in getting planes in the air in the first place. Specifically, this applies to the production of Boeing’s popular 737 family, whose fuselages are transported to the factory by rail. But why is this the case?

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[erichhouchens]

Retired BNSF train dispatcher here. I've dispatched these trains before. They are classed as "J" trains on BNSF meaning they're "dimensional" loads (high/wide loads) that can only operate on certain routes and in some cases even certain tracks. LOTS of paperwork is required to Train Dispatchers and Train Crews in handling these trains. In addition to the special flat cars carrying the planes there's also large high cube cars carrying parts as well as a special "ice breaker" car with a large metal ring that runs behind the locomotives. This car breaks off icicles in tunnels during the winter to prevent damage to the planes.

[erica]

I got stuck at a crossing where 5 of the 737s went past a few years ago. Was strange to see.

[joshuakingsley]

ive actually seen one of these trains before; it was pretty cool

[willfreeman]

I worked for Spirit on the midsection for 3.5 years. I remember coming in on a Monday and hearing about the train going off into the river. We had to work 6 weekends to catch back up, which sucked cause me and my crew were already working every weekend to catch up. We had been short handed all year. I left Spirit and Wichita in 2016 for better a opportunitie.

[timothycook]

I remember the first time seeing one, as I was driving over a highway overpass in Nebraska as a "737" train was passing underneath...and the (almost) endless number of green fuselages. I had to stop and get and watch. I've seen a fair amount of them in other states since

[skychief]

I don’t remember exactly where or exactly when, but I think it was in the Seattle area in the early 1970s that I saw sections of Boeing 747 fuselages rolling down the railroad tracks. I know they were 747s because each section had a great big banner on them shouting out to everyone who saw it what it was.

Thanks for the little snippet of aviation history. I enjoyed it. I hope thousands of others do too.

[bugwber]

Saw them quite often in Cheyenne, Wy. Crazy site to see, especially when the train is nothing but fuselages.

[scanida]

Both Railways and Aviation have something in common: They are now as important as ever and are going to play a vital role in the future of transportation.

[osasunaitor]

As a freight train driver, I'd be delighted to transport such a special cargo!!
Unfortunately freight rail in my country is very limited and discouraged by politicians in favour of road transport :(

[paulgracey]

Little known fact. Some of the larger fuselage parts of the 747 used to start out in the same factory building in Hawthorne CA that SpaceX now uses for the Falcon 9 rockets. They went to Everett by rail too, I believe.

[deeess]

i live right up the hill from the renton boeing facility and was even fortunate enough to get a private tour of the factory! still one of the biggest highlights of my life!

[johnforsyth]

I grew up in Wichita, Kansas. Spirit Aerospace is building the 737 in the old Boeing factory that it used to own in Wichita, Kansas. Most of the B-29, B-47 and B-52's were built at this factory site. It is right next to McConnell AFB that is still open and operating. Boeing sold it to to Spirit Aerospace when they were streamlining their operations about 15 years ago.

[Ajadizzul]

Bombardier be like: we can make both like train and airplane.

[tmay]

I’m from Wichita. My brother-in-law is the production line manager for the cockpit section at Spirit. The facility is amazing and these trains are so common around Wichita

[Greatdome]

It should be mentioned that DC9 and DC10 wings were built in Toronto and transported cross-country to Long Beach in special railroad flatcars supplied by the Union Pacific.

[Doggo]

As a person who lives in Renton myself, I see this all the time. Also fun fact, the railway goes straight through the middle of town on a road so you can end up driving next to a 737.

[apolloniaaskew]

Boeing started using the rails with the 747 by Burlington Northern (the precursor to BNSF) Lockheed transported L-1011 wings from Marietta, Georgia to Palmdale, California. General Dynamics (Convair) used to send DC-10 fuselages by barge from San Diego to Long Beach, California.

[jtuttle]

Actually, YES. I've seen these trains several times as they travel from Wichita into Emporia Ks. They probably were heading to the Massive railyard in Kansas City to join a major shipment west.

[adamslucas]

I did not know they were transported by train. That's very fascinating to know how the fuselages get from one place to another!

[russellmalahowski]

A of mine was floating the river the day of the wreck and witnessed the accident. He referred to the situation as three "very low flying airplanes". The three that slid into the river were written off as the FAA indicated it would not certify them due to water damage to internal wiring and frame damage that could not be rectified. An expensive accident to be sure! I am fairly certain the MRL insurance carrier was somewhat unhappy.