Empire State’s Economy Rides on Freight Rail
In the 19th century, it was railroads that united small towns and big cities, farms and factories, truly making New York the Empire State. From Long Island to Western New York and the North Country – and everywhere in between – freight rail still supports businesses and drives innovation and economic opportunity for New Yorkers.
New York's 41 freight railroads operate over 3,687 miles of track and employ 2,645 in the Empire State.* It would have taken approximately 3.7 million additional truckloads to move the 66.7 million tons of freight that moved by rail in New York in 2019. Intermodal and waste and scrap materials make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in New York. Intermodal shipments and chemicals are the state's largest rail imports.
*2019 data
Policy Issues 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 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…
Regulation Middletown, NY — Orange County Partnership President and CEO Maureen Halahan underscored the role of freight rail in moving New York's economy in a recent…
Featured Rail Advocates
New York
4x
more fuel efficient
than trucks.
Moving freight by rail instead of trucks reduces greenhouse gas emissions an average of 75 percent.
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