State Rail Network
Class I Railroads
| Canadian National | 103 |
| Canadian Pacific Kansas City | 154 |
| CSX Transportation | 1,411 |
| Norfolk Southern | 1,440 |
| Union Pacific | 19 |
| Total | 3,127 |
Short Line Railroads
| Burns Harbor Railroad | 4 |
| Central Indiana & Western Railroad | 10 |
| Central Railroad Company of Indiana | 63 |
| Central Railroad Company of Indianapolis | 60 |
| Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad | 28 |
| Total | 1,820 |
Moving Indiana's Economy. Connecting Communities.
Railroads played a central role in Indiana’s development and growth in the 1830s, providing vital connections to the east and west and delivering the raw materials that fueled the growth of Hoosier State manufacturing.
Originating
Received
State Grants
Railroad Grade Crossing Fund
Industrial Rail Service Fund
Rail Heritage
Climbing out of the Ohio River valley took some of the steepest track ever built in America. Engineers laid it for the Madison and Indianapolis Railroad, chartered by the state in 1836, gaining more than 400 feet in just over a mile to bring the line up from Madison, a grade still considered the steepest standard-gauge mainline in the country. The line operated for more than a century and a half before its final stretch became the Madison Heritage Trail. That early feat of engineering helped connect Indiana’s farms and factories to national markets, a role the state’s rail network continues to play today.
Why Freight Rail Matters
Supports Manufacturing
Rail connects manufacturers with suppliers and customers across North America, efficiently moving raw materials and finished goods.
Strengthens Agriculture
Rail helps move crops, forest products, fertilizers and other agricultural goods efficiently and affordably.
Reduces Congestion
Moving freight by rail removes trucks from highways, helping reduce traffic and wear on road infrastructure.
Protects the Environment
Freight rail is significantly more fuel efficient than moving freight by truck, helping reduce fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Rail at Work
Safety FRA Data Shows Major Rail Safety Gains in 2025
Washington, D.C. – New data from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) shows 2025 was a historic year for freight rail safety. Accident and injury rates…
Advocacy State Lawmakers Experience Freight Rail Up Close in Indiana
The Indiana Rail Road Company and GoRail host state legislators to witness freight rail operations and discuss transportation policy priorities. Indianapolis, IN — GoRail welcomed 55…
Policy Issues Rail Policy Landscape in the 117th Congress
Washington, D.C. — As the 117th Congress dives into its work—and committee assignments and leadership roles have been finalized—we now know more about the key…
44 percent
decrease
in rail rates on average from 1981 to today.
That means the average rail customer today can ship significantly more freight for about the same price they paid 40 years ago.
State Director
Indiana
Mike Neal
State DirectorAs GoRail’s Midwest State Director, Mike Neal brings more than 15 years of experience across state government, regulatory oversight, political operations, and public affairs.
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