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The Current State of the Railroad Industry

Over the past 8 years, economic shifts have significantly transformed the railroad sector. Railroads, being more energy-efficient and eco-friendly than trucks, are pivotal in freight transportation. Diesel-electric locomotives excel in fuel efficiency, moving a ton of freight 379 miles per gallon. Railroads are three times cleaner than trucks in terms of emissions, contributing to a greener environment. Despite facing challenges post-1920 due to government subsidies to other transport modes, railroads remain crucial for heavy freight movement. Noteworthy savings highlight the cost-effectiveness of shortline railroads compared to highway maintenance. Explore the current state of railroad traffic, including intermodal and coal trends, amid global shifts like reduced CO2 emissions from fracking and oil price fluctuations. Dive into the dynamics of chemicals transportation using specialized tank cars.

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The Current State of the Railroad Industry

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  1. The Current State of the Railroad Industry Economic Changes in the Past 8 Years have Greatly Altered Railroad Traffic

  2. Some Preliminary Observations • Railroads are the best way to move heavy freight: Railroads are more energy efficient and less polluting than trucks. • 1. A diesel-electric locomotive can move one ton of freight an average of 379 miles (610 km) per gallon of diesel fuel. This is 3 times the fuel efficiency of a truck.

  3. [“A U.S. Maritime Administration study has shown that one gallon of fuel can move one ton of freight 59 miles by truck, 202 miles by rail, and 514 miles by barge” (Railway Age, p.6, April 2008).] 2. Diesel-locomotives are three times cleaner than trucks on the basis of air emissions per ton moved. 3. High subsidies to rival transportation modes after 1920 prevented the railroads from innovating and they never regained the position they held in the economy at the turn of the 20th Century. For example:

  4. a. Railroads require about $2.48 in assets to generate $1 in revenue while the trucking industry requires only $0.48 for $1 in revenue. Reason -- they are subsidized by local, state, and federal governments. Government builds the infrastructure for trucks. b. A study conducted by the state of Washington of shortline railroads concluded that an active mile of shortline railroad can save from $17,000 to $63,000 in annual costs to either resurface or reconstruct non-interstate highways (about 2008).

  5. Total Traffic: 2013 - 2016

  6. Current Railroad Traffic (Dec. 2016)

  7. Intermodal Traffic: 2013 - 2016

  8. Double-Stack Containers on Special Flat Cars that Make up an Unit Intermodal Consist (train)

  9. Coal Traffic: 2013 - 2016

  10. Coal Trains: Norfolk Southern

  11. The Robert W Scherer Power Plant

  12. Fracking has Reduced CO2 Emissions by Power Plants

  13. CO2 Emissions USAFrom Wikipedia

  14. Oil Traffic 2013 - 2016

  15. Price of Oil 1946 – 2016(Real Dollars)

  16. Chemicals: 2013 - 2016

  17. DOT-111 Tank Car

  18. Chlorine Tank Car, 17,360 gallonsDOT 105J500W, weight 263,000 lbs

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