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Old May 25, 2019 | 11:22 AM
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Default Rail tracking question

Recent order from MacMulkin (Super deal: 14% discount PLUS $3K loyalty discount)
My Corvette is currently on a train for courtesy delivery to California.

I called CSX TouchTrace (800 235 2352) and plugged in the rail tracking number (initials SP: Southern Pacific) provided by MacMulkin. The automated system said the rail car was empty, released to customer on March 6 in Tacoma Washington (obviously false). I double-checked the rail tracking number with MacMulkin, which received it from GM.
I also called CSX TouchTrace several times over several days, with no success.

Did GM provide a bad rail tracking number? (unlikely)

Am I calling the wrong agency or number?

Is there another way to track a Southern Pacific rail car?

Thanks for any help!



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Old May 25, 2019 | 11:47 AM
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Rail tracking used to work but people abused it and it is no longer available to the general public
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Old May 26, 2019 | 11:25 PM
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I am in commodity food ingredients and rail tracking is a universal system among railroads. My company subscribes to a service to track them on occasion (or did anyway). PM me the railcar # and I can try to look it up Tuesday morning when I get to work. I am wondering if the last scan of March 6 was before railcar arrived for loading your car....
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Old May 27, 2019 | 02:31 AM
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I called the rail tracking number two years ago when I purchased my GS. Information was unreliable - several days after my car arrived in N. Calif. the rail message still said my car was sitting in the departure rail yard.
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Old May 27, 2019 | 06:31 AM
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You could have OnStar activated and track it on your phone. Once activated, this is 100% activated.
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Old May 27, 2019 | 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by KC - Grand Sport
I am in commodity food ingredients and rail tracking is a universal system among railroads. My company subscribes to a service to track them on occasion (or did anyway). PM me the railcar # and I can try to look it up Tuesday morning when I get to work. I am wondering if the last scan of March 6 was before railcar arrived for loading your car....
Thank you! I found a different phone number 800-877-5123 which seems to work. My Corvette is in Arizona now! In California this afternoon!
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Old May 27, 2019 | 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Classic-Chevy-Guy
You could have OnStar activated and track it on your phone. Once activated, this is 100% activated.
Good idea! Thank you!
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Old May 27, 2019 | 04:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Classic-Chevy-Guy
You could have OnStar activated and track it on your phone. Once activated, this is 100% activated.
Would onstar work in a rail car?
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Old May 27, 2019 | 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Submerge
Would onstar work in a rail car?
I activated OnStar, but it was unable to access my vehicle.
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Old May 27, 2019 | 06:36 PM
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Will probably come alive when they start it the next time.
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Old Jun 23, 2019 | 01:13 PM
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Can someone tell me more about activating OnStar?

Would we just call Onstar and ask them to activate it?

Just need to know the VIN?

I assume we would download an app to our mobile device, and then be able to see the vehicles location on a map?

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Old Jun 23, 2019 | 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by need-for-speed
Can someone tell me more about activating OnStar?

Would we just call Onstar and ask them to activate it?

Just need to know the VIN?

I assume we would download an app to our mobile device, and then be able to see the vehicles location on a map?

No need to call Onstar. They’ll tell you to push the Onstar button in the vehicle, which you obviously cannot do. Go ahead and download the app to your mobile device. It won’t be able to track your car, but at least you’ll have the app when the car arrives. Also, something to do while you’re waiting. Best approach is to have a friend at the dealer who will let you know when your car arrives. Enjoy!
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Old Jun 23, 2019 | 02:28 PM
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Download the App

Have the dealer activate OnStar

Use location services on the app

Caution: car might need to started after activation
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Old Jun 23, 2019 | 04:02 PM
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This works. Have done it for multiple Vettes.
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Old Jun 23, 2019 | 04:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Classic-Chevy-Guy
Download the App

Have the dealer activate OnStar

Use location services on the app

Caution: car might need to started after activation

Thanks !
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Old Jun 23, 2019 | 08:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Classic-Chevy-Guy
Download the App

Have the dealer activate OnStar

Use location services on the app

Caution: car might need to started after activation
Let us know if it works.
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Old Jun 25, 2019 | 09:22 PM
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Originally Posted by SASprof
Let us know if it works.

BLUZ51 pointed me to a few threads. It does appear to work, however, the car/Onstar goes to sleep after 48 hours but turns back on when they start the car (i.e. move it from the train to the transport.).

Last edited by need-for-speed; Jun 25, 2019 at 09:23 PM.
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Old Jun 25, 2019 | 09:33 PM
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Originally Posted by need-for-speed
BLUZ51 pointed me to a few threads. It does appear to work, however, the car/Onstar goes to sleep after 48 hours but turns back on when they start the car (i.e. move it from the train to the transport.).
Good info. Thanks.
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Old Jun 25, 2019 | 10:31 PM
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Is there another way to track a Southern Pacific rail car?

Thanks for any help![/QUOTE]
It is Union Pacific. Call their 800 number. Maybe they can help.
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Old Jun 25, 2019 | 10:51 PM
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When I wanted to know where my car was, approx, I called MacMulkin and they would tell me where the car was. I ordered from Macmulkin and had courtesy delivery to SoCal. Good times with your new Vette!! Hope you have as good a car as I got as I've had no issues at this point. Car is almost 1 year old now
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