Rail Central to Hoosier State History and Future
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. Indiana’s economy remains highly reliant on rail, with the energy, agriculture, construction and manufacturing sectors all counting on rail’s ability to safely and efficiently provide connections to key markets while also reducing energy usage and emissions.
Indiana's 43 freight railroads operate over 3,946 miles of track and employ 4,798 in the Hoosier State.* It would have taken approximately 16.6 million additional trucks to handle the 298.7 million tons of freight that started, ended, or moved through Indiana in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 4.44 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 870,000 cars off the road or planting 67.2 million trees. Coal and primary metal products make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Indiana. Coal is the largest rail import to the state.
*2021 data
