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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[@erichhouchens3711]

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.

[@donaldstanfield8862]

Ah, wondered what those big frames were on front of carriers!?

[@BLACKMONGOOSE13]

Thanks for sharing!

[@nigeldawson8218]

Thanks for your info and insight. It seems this is probably another payoff to Warren Buffett, making sure his railroad has business, just like from the oil patch by canceling the pipeline.

[@thomasboese3793]

@@nigeldawson8218 No, the trains were running long before Warren Buffett got into running trains.

[@georgecarlinn6288]

NiCe thanks for information

[@erica7477]

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

[@floridaboii]

where at?

[@joshuakingsley3444]

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

[@Gamer-lz6zz]

I actually saw one of these trains before; its crashed

[@joshuakingsley3444]

@@Gamer-lz6zz holy-

[@floridaboii]

where at?

[@willfreeman6797]

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.

[@Dave-dh7rt]

Dont even get me started on the execs at spirit.

[@leifgiering]

I'm surprised it only too 6 weekends.

[@justtwoseats]

Out of curiosity would you know about how much those fuselages cost? A friend of mine was guessing $50 million each. I was thinking it must be more like $15-20.

[@willfreeman6797]

It only took us 6 weekends cause it was only 6 fuselages

[@JAXSON-t1f]

Yooo that is sick. My dad works at Spirit

[@timothycook2917]

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

[@floridaboii]

where at exactly? if you remember

[@bugwber]

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

[@scanida5070]

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.

[@307skylake7]

Trains for small country travel (e.g in Europe like one place to another in Germany, or Brussels to Amsterdam) and planes for longer trip traveling. I’d take both options over car, sea or bus travel any day of the week.

[@Racko.]

I agree. Let’s also not forget high speed trains, which is very common across Europe and Asia

[@smcdonald9991]

Airbus transports fuselage by barge on very narrow canals.

[@dave_riots]

This is very true. In the long run, flying and rail would be cheaper than owning a car.

[@Aviationgeek21]

They have always played an important role in transportation

[@Greatdome99]

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.

[@paulgracey4697]

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.

[@skychief399]

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.

[@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 :(

[@paulwarner5395]

You don't live here in New Zealand do you??

[@osasunaitor]

@@paulwarner5395 No, but I wish I did!

[@Ajadizzul]

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

[@cosmiccuttlefish5765]

Fun fact: Boeing used to make light rail trains as well as hydrofoils!

[@skypesos]

RIP Bombardier though. CRJ program sold to Mitsubishi, C-series program sold to Airbus, and rail division sold to Alstom.

[@hellboundslayer]

san francisco muni light rail 1st generation was built by boeing and one can be found at the western railway museum

[@militaryav8r]

The CRJ, the C-Series, the trains, I think even their private aircraft line… They sold everything. I’m not sure what, if anything, Bombardier makes anymore.

[@francishallare204]

Emerson Bombardier still makes business jets.

[@Doggo448]

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.

[@Greatdome99]

That's called "street running" and is common in some cities even today.

[@johnforsyth7987]

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.

[@deeess3305]

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!

[@apolloniaaskew9487]

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.

[@Prolificposter]

In the beginning of 737 production, the Santa Fe Railway moved fuselages from Wichita to, I think, Kansas City where they were interchanged to the Burlington Northern (one of its predecessors before the 1970 merger created BN) for transport to Washington. After the BN+SF merger interchange was, of course not necessary. When Montana Rail Link was created in the 1980s, there was another interchange with it from BN, and then another back to BN, later BNSF. In April 2023, BNSF will reassume operational ownership of, by then the former, MRL which will cease to exist. MRL operated that line under a lease from BNSF which was mutually terminated.

[@flightlab6229]

I didn't knew. Thanks for sharing it. Amazing!

[@label1877]

Perhaps because shipping by rail is by far the most economical. Speed is not a consideration with scheduled factory production.

[@osasunaitor]

Shipping by boat is even better, but of course it's not always possible

[@brandonking1737]

@@osasunaitor Yeah, too bad Wichita, Kansas isn't known for their seaports

[@smcdonald9991]

I didn't know Boeing didn't manufacture its own fuselage..

[@rogerrussell9544]

@@osasunaitor Not from Kansas!

[@hewhohasnoidentity4377]

@@smcdonald9991Boeing assembles components made by hundreds of companies around the world. They don't convert raw materials into aircraft.

[@WhiskeyGulf71]

Interesting ! Through out the video i was thinking “what about a derailment?” Then at the end it turns out that it’s already happened.

[@doneckford1189]

It's easier to use rail in North America compared to say Europe, for example, given the much larger shipping dimensions and car capacities typical in North America. Although they are still a special oversized loads requiring predetermined and limited routing they can be included as part of much larger train consists.

[@jtuttle11]

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.

[@adamslucas3976]

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

[@russellmalahowski3110]

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.

[@nielsburmester46]

I knew it, but not the details. This is why I love your videos.

[@garykcs5532]

Great vid, love it

[@CausticLemons7]

I did not know this. Thank you.

[@tmay092698]

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

[@randyhome1544]

Just a reminder, Boeing is now Sprit, Learjet was Bombardier, Cessna became General Dynamic and later become Text

[@tmay092698]

@@randyhome1544 Boeing is still Boeing. They left Wichita years back but still have contracts with Spirit Aerosystems. Learjet is still owned by the Canadian company Bombardier. He worked for Lear before moving to Spirit a couple years ago.

[@nomanasghar1485]

Love your videos ❤️

[@Caleb.Brockie]

Growing up in central Washington it was common to see these freight trains come through town. Rather interesting

[@0x4rk0]

I used to take the commuter train to work, and I would see these every day!

[@stallspeedrc7657]

Love the channel

[@GeeBoggs]

Fascinating. I had no idea fuselages were transported from Wichita, much less by rail.

[@shakey2634]

This used to be a common sight in my hometown of Kansas City. But, since the Max grounding and the industry’s decline from COVID we haven’t seen them for quite awhile.

[@piermariamontalto6563]

Lucaas vibe at 03:30

[@cdhilton7124]

🤣🤣🤣

[@MrRocknrollin]

Congratulations for misplacing Wichita on the map not once, but twice in this video. Great job.

[@danielwoellhof1675]

Have seen them go through town (SW Kansas) multiple times over the years. Always interesting.

[@DirtyLilHobo]

I was a BNSF Engineer at Denver and those cars with the B737 on them were being switched in the yard at 32nd. I stood next to one when it was stopped. ‘Bout the closest I ever came the the left cockpit seat..

[@Jakobly]

imagine if they delivered them all by truck lmao would be a nightmare

[@killerdoxen]

Until now, I thought they were all built in the Renton facility. Would be cool to see one of those trains. I did have a part in delivering parts for Boeing from Winnipeg MB to Vancouver, BC for export into Washington with the trucking company I drove for. Those were everyones favourite loads. 5000 pounds through the mountains so the trucks could really move.

[@spmz4243]

Very nice!

[@theackshow5048]

Until recent events that stopped shipments of the fuselages, one could see 737s pass through North Kansas City at the BNSF rail yard across US highway 169 from Wheeler airport - which was once the home base of Trans World Airlines.

[@floridaboii]

they don't anymore?

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Very nice video with lot's of detail.

[@KyleSmith_53]

I work for spirit, we also send panels for 777 and 767 as well as lower lobes and cabs/cockpits

[@stephancox9105]

McDonnell-Douglas in Long Beach used to have fuselages and other parts for their airliners shipped in by rail from General Dynamics in San Diego.

[@Greatdome99]

And wings from Toronto on trains

[@Tal_Spotting]

I have a model railroad and a model airport. I have been looking for models of the Boeing cars and fuselage for a while now. The only one I could find was $500. I wanted to make one but the problem was I have an HO (1:87) model railroad and I can only find planes in 1:200, 1:400, 1:500, and 1:72.

[@spongebubatz]

There’s a gauge called T-Gauge, that could work for 1:500, other than that I don’t know where to get 1:87 planes from, maybe 1:100 would be enough for a start

[@Tal_Spotting]

@@spongebubatz thanks, I think t gauge would be to small, I want the cars and planes for my railroad, not for my airport

[@donaldstanfield8862]

@@Tal_Spotting That would be so awesome

[@Hauketal]

Maybe you can make your own with a 3D printer. Or even have them printed to order.

[@Tal_Spotting]

@@Hauketal true

[@americanoil69420]

737: “We taking dreamlifter?” Bnsf: “Come over children”

[@mjw120046]

These trains with 737 fuselages go right through my town. We see them often... you know, in non-pandemic years and years in which the 737 Max isn't grounded. As a Montana resident, I remember that derailment near Superior.

[@Archsponge]

Very fitting to see the car at 0:21 with an Embry-Riddle license plate holder for this video 😆

[@1babysag]

Yes, I did know. I used to live in Kansas and frequently saw these items being shipped.

[@lukemalm9190]

I was working on a rail bridge in KC and there were a number of fuselage's that were shipped west across the Missouri river.

[@steveh6640]

I'm from Wichita, and very used to seeing the fuselages on their way to Washington.

[@flynlr]

I remember the Railcars with a large 747 on the side taking fuselage sides from the Hawthorne CA Northrop Factory to Everette WA in the 70s and perhaps beyond

[@mikeneff6122]

I used to see these on BNSF trains in Kansas City. Very cool.

[@JanicefromKansas]

Hello from Kansas 🇺🇸

[@kentfrederick8929]

I was in Seattle in 2019 and saw a train with several fuselages. I remember when the 747 was starting production. I used to see flat cars with huge metal covers. On the sides of the covers were the words, "Another Boeing 747 Assembly." This was on the Burlington Northern mainline is suburban Chicago. I believe these might have been the landing gear, which were manufactured in Cleveland. Of course, final destination was the old Great Northern spur to the widebody factory in Everett.

[@floridaboii]

wow neat

[@jameswinney7593]

Until Boing decided to move operations away from the Seattle area during the pandemic I would see these trains weekly go by my house in Seward, Nebraska heading west. Sometimes up-to four or five at a time but usual two to three. I miss seeing those trains.

[@Chris-lh7wj]

Was driving from Texas to Yellowstone when we got stuck at a crossing in middle of nowhere Nebraska waiting on a train with dozens of small fuselages. They weren’t like Cessna small but definitely not 737 size. Always struck me as odd since it was so remote and seemingly nowhere near Boeings facility.

[@floridaboii]

wow neat where was that?

[@JAXSON-t1f]

0:48 finally somebody cares about it I live right next to it and my dad works there

[@TJMcCloskey8]

I was lucky enough to see the train once. I was at the beach in Edmonds, Washington

[@Dave-dh7rt]

Spirit is in my hometown, I see them on rail all the time. Ive also seen the autoclave where 787 fuselages are made! It was massive.

[@chadmcmullen4064]

I designed the drilled shaft foundations for that autoclave! Heavy as all get out!

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Very nice.

[@tomhogue3921]

Thanks

[@frankpinmtl]

Fun fact: A retired Boeing engineer told me that the rails must be inspected and certified for transport, to ensure that the rails are level, safe within tolerances so that the fuselages are not damaged during transport. All 1,800 miles are inspected. IIRC the transport charges cost $50k per airframe. Not cheap

[@chingweixion621]

But should be a lot cheaper than flying it...

[@sharkheadism]

They inspect the rails daily anyway. If there is a spot known for having restricted clearance, the conductor's wheel report will give instructions to walk the train through or past the obstruction.

[@chrisfr977]

I see the trains carrying the body of the aircraft live in Seattle 30 minutes North to Everett and to Renton about the same time 30 minutes from downtown Seattle born and raised here

[@Calebs_Aviation]

Yes I knew about this and I saw a 737 train inbound to Renton!

[@CuteSealYHM]

Yes I have seen video of the 737 trains in montana

[@B51217]

AWESOME ANDNICE VIDEO

[@gingersary]

I've seen them often in the BNSF hump switching yard in Kansas City, MO. I look for them every time I drive by.

[@oubrioko]

Argentine

[@Island_Line_Rail_Productions]

I sure do hope they are not humping those cars. Especially with the DO NOT HUMP stenciled on the sides. Too fragile to handle the hump yard

[@Part_121_Wannabe]

2:30 am i the only one who loves when this tracks kicks in :)

[@wearethemags6613]

The fuselages looks great in that green colour. I'd love to see an airline use that as their livery!

[@spongebubatz]

Sometimes aircraft are performing test flights in these primer liveries!

[@JamesSymmonds]

What's really weird is that I've seen trains with these on them parked in the rail yards in North Kansas City along US169.

[@tirupalvaka3208]

No i just knew now thanks😊😍

[@mikeshane2048]

Who would've thought a plane would get a ride on a train.

[@raythecricket49]

They stop through my town all the time in Wenatchee Washington

[@markdieckman144]

I love seeing the planes sitting here in the rail yard in Kansas City!

[@paranormalkansas5768]

Where can I see them? Lol

[@11AviationVideos]

I will travel for vacation to US the second half of June 2023. Any idea where i can find a schedule for a train like this? I really want to see it! Many thanks in advance.

[@petersharp90]

I have seen these going through my town - Louisville. CO.

[@AlexDRocca]

Love your videos but can you guys please make the intro sound effect like 30% quieter :))

[@Hongquangbmt]

Wow! SGN and Vietjet Air on the clip.

[@flyingcat812]

*bangs on the door* I want to fly the train!

[@JonathanChan212]

I got stuck on a railroad crossing in Seattle area with at least 10 fuselages in 2015.

[@andythompson3528]

I see them go through Montana all the time

[@liamsmith4566]

Dehavilland canada should do the same if they decide to make the fuselage in canada when dash 8 production restarts

[@stephenalexander6033]

Did not know that

[@brijekavervix7340]

Saw one in Wyoming once

[@QuietStormX]

Yes....

[@sureshkumar-cz1br]

Yes

[@Sanginius23]

Maybe you can do a Video about connection of Airports with Rail / High Speed Rail (like Frankfurt)

[@jaredlazaron8414]

I worked in Monroe Washington for a while. The "Boeing Train" was a common sight.

[@MottyGlix]

Train enthusiasts who watch (North American) train videos see many videos of fuselages being carried on railroad flatcars. So, yes, I did know that Boeing-737 fuselages are transported by rail.

[@randycarter2001]

Those fuselages actually travel through downtown Renton. I've actually driven a car on those tracks.

[@harshalsarang6997]

Which aircraft is most profitable for airline between narrow body & Widebody?

[@imagereader_9]

I've always wondered if Boeing has had any incidents where crackpots take potshots at the fuselages with a rifle or pistol. It's a long trip from Wichita to Renton with a lot of stops in dark places.

[@marzsit9833]

the rail line that passes through renton to the boeing factory runs down the middle of a street that is shared with other vehicle traffic, there have been times when the train has been blocked because people ignored the no parking signs and left their cars too close to the track....

[@duckyishappy]

No offence, but where you put Witchita is like 800km East of where it actually is, it's much closer to the Oklahoma border.

[@oxcart4172]

Just realised that I haven't heard the word 'lorry" for ages. How weird!!

[@TheWizardGamez]

LOL, my parents are from an ex-british colony, and truck/semi isnt a word they seem to comprehend

[@wclark3196]

It's because they're cargo, not yet planes.

[@connecticutfireemspdresponses]

I never knew that

[@ilikehcomikgame]

god that's a lot of trains

[@1Barsamian]

Yes I knew, I used to work at Boeing Renton Division