State Rail Network

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Class I Railroads

CSX Transportation 329
Total 329

Short Line Railroads

Berkshire & Eastern Railroad 188
Connecticut Southern Railroad 7
East Brookfield & Spencer Railroad 4
Fore River Transportation Corp. 3
Grafton & Upton Railroad 23
Total 624
2022 Source: Association of American Railroads (AAR). Data represents most recent available annual reporting. AAR Logo

Moving Massachusetts's Economy. Connecting Communities.

With freight shipments increasing and highway congestion on the rise, rail offers Massachusetts a way to tackle growing demand without tying up commuters in ever worsening traffic.

Originating

Top Commodities Originating
Waste & Scrap 1.8M Tons | 18.9K Cars
Intermodal 1M Tons | 81.8K Cars
Stone, Clay & Glass Products 0.1M Tons | 1.2K Cars
Chemicals 0.1M Tons | 1.5K Cars
Other 0.2M Tons | 2.4K Cars
105.8K Total Cars
3.2M Total Tons

Received

Top Commodities Received / Terminated
Intermodal 1.4M Tons | 99.4K Cars
Food Products 1M Tons | 11.7K Cars
Chemicals 0.9M Tons | 9.9K Cars
Lumber & Wood Products 0.7M Tons | 8K Cars
Motor Vehicles & Equipment 0.7M Tons | 34.3K Cars
Other 2.5M Tons | 30.8K Cars
194.1K Total Cars
7.2M Total Tons
MASSACHUSETTS'S

State Grants

Industrial Rail Access Program

Rail

Join the movement in support of freight rail in your state and across North America.

Why Freight Rail Matters

Supports Manufacturing Icon

Supports Manufacturing

Rail connects manufacturers with suppliers and customers across North America, efficiently moving raw materials and finished goods.

Strengthens Agriculture Icon

Strengthens Agriculture

Rail helps move crops, forest products, fertilizers and other agricultural goods efficiently and affordably.

Reduces Congestion Icon

Reduces Congestion

Moving freight by rail removes trucks from highways, helping reduce traffic and wear on road infrastructure.

Protects the Environment Icon

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

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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…

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…

Economic Impact

Three Reasons to Love America’s Freight Trains

Washington, D.C. — The allure of railroading in America is undeniable. It’s an intrinsic part of our nation’s history and identity—steel wheels on steel rail…

Featured Rail Supply Companies

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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

Massachusetts
Nate Kaplan

Nate Kaplan

State Director

With a decade of experience working in the rail industry, Nate covers the Western United States and parts of New England for GoRail. His background in local, state, and federal government makes him an effective transportation and public policy leader.

Get to know Nate