Palmetto State Relying on Freight Rail to Meet Growth Challenges

Daily express rail service from CSX and Norfolk Southern helps the Port of Charleston take advantage of the deepest water in the southeast region. Freight rail service also helps the South Carolina Inland Port in Greer boost efficiency between the Port of Charleston and companies across the Southeast while bringing new economic investment in South Carolina Upstate. Freight rail service maximizes tonnage moved per gallon of fuel for importers and exporters, while reducing the number of trucks that would otherwise be required to move freight inland and creating economic development across the state.

South Carolina's 10 freight railroads operate over 2,191 miles of track and employ 1,237 in the Palmetto State.* It would have taken approximately 3.5 million additional trucks to handle the 62.2 million tons of freight that started, ended, or moved through South Carolina in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 2.41 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 472,000 cars off the road or planting 36.5 million trees. Intermodal and chemicals comprise the majority of freight rail shipments both beginning and ending in South Carolina.

*2021 data

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Rhode Island Economy Gets a Boost from Rail

In addition to playing a direct role in the revitalization of the Ports of Providence and Davisville, rail infrastructure and service improvements have also created cost effective options for other businesses and industries in the Ocean State. Taking heavy freight off the highways also reduces truck congestion and saves money for taxpayers on roadway upkeep.

Rhode Island's freight railroad operates 143 miles of track and employs 28 in the Ocean State.* It would have taken thousands of additional truckloads to move the many tons of freight that moved by rail in Rhode Island in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 94,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 18,000 cars off the road or planting 1.42 million trees.

*2021 data

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Pennsylvania: Keystone of American Freight Rail

From a small beginning two centuries ago with a quarry railway in Delaware County, freight rail became the engine that made Pennsylvania an industrial giant in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today’s freight railroads continue fueling economic growth, drawing new businesses and manufacturing to Pennsylvania with their seamless connections to national and global markets.

Pennsylvania's 61 freight railroads operate over 5,228 miles of track and employ 4,528 in the Keystone State.* It would have taken approximately 9.7 million additional trucks to handle the 175.3 million tons of freight that started, ended, or moved through Pennsylvania in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 4.63 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 907,000 cars off the road or planting 70.1 million trees. Intermodal and coal make up the majority of freight rail shipments both beginning and ending in Pennsylvania.

*2021 data

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Freight Rail Facilitates Green Economy in the Beaver State

With about one-third of Oregon’s economy based on goods movement, it is easy to see that freight transportation choices make a big difference to the average Oregonian’s quality of life. Freight rail improves connections for Beaver State businesses, manufacturers and agriculture while also relieving roadway congestion, saving fuel and emitting fewer pollutants.

Oregon's 22 freight railroads operate over 2,369 miles of track and employ 1,337 in the Beaver State.* It would have taken approximately 630,000 additional truckloads to move the 11.3 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Oregon in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 2.47 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 485,000 cars off the road or planting 37.5 million trees. Intermodal shipments and lumber and wood products make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Oregon. Intermodal shipments and chemicals are the largest rail imports to the state.

*2021 data

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Sooner State Growth Riding on Rail

Freight rail brings finished goods and raw materials to Oklahoma's businesses and transports Oklahoma's products to the rest of the nation and the world. According to the State Department of Transportation, rail traffic will experience significant growth over the next few decades with the number of trains on some corridors expected to double over the next 20 years.

Oklahoma's 18 freight railroads operate over 3,222 miles of track and employ 1,766 in the Sooner State.* It would have taken approximately 14.2 million additional trucks to handle the 256.4 million tons of freight that started, ended, or moved through Oklahoma in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 3.3 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 647,000 cars off the road or planting 50 million trees. Nonmetallic minerals are the largest freight rail shipments beginning and ending in Oklahoma.

*2021 data

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Railroads are Pulling Their Weight In the Buckeye State

Dating back to the 19th century, railroading in the Buckeye State was critical to economic development. In the north, rail provided a connection to the Great Lakes, and in the south, Cincinnati once served as the rail hub of the nation. A lot has changed since the early days of statehood, but freight rail remains an economic driver. Today, Ohio has the fourth largest rail infrastructure, the second highest number of intermodal terminals in the nation, and is home to one of the highest concentrations of rail supply companies.

Ohio's 41 freight railroads operate over 5,139 miles of track and employ 5,036 in the Buckeye State.* It would have taken approximately 14.7 million additional trucks to handle the 264.2 million tons of freight that started, ended, or moved through Ohio in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 5.16 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 1.01 million cars off the road or planting 78.1 million trees. Intermodal and nonmetallic minerals comprise the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Ohio. Intermodal shipments and coal are the largest rail imports to the state.

*2021 data

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North Dakota Connects to the Nation Via Freight Rail

The bounty harvested from North Dakota farms and oil fields reaches markets nationwide and around the globe thanks to freight rail’s seamless connections. Railroads make it possible for North Dakota to help feed the nation while also enabling domestic energy independence.

North Dakota's seven freight railroads operate over 3,223 miles of track and employ 1,458 in the Peace Garden State.* It would have taken approximately 6.8 million additional trucks to handle the 122.1 million tons of freight that started, ended, or moved through North Dakota in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 7.57 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 1.49 million cars off the road or planting 114.8 million trees. Farm products and crude oil make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in North Dakota. Nonmetallic minerals and coal are the largest rail imports to the state.

*2021 data

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Freight Rail Links Multifaceted North Carolina Economy to Global Marketplace

Freight rail connects the Tar Heel State’s ports, power plants, farms, mines and manufacturers to markets across the nation and worldwide. Continuous investment and innovation from railroads will take center stage as North Carolina carves out its place in an ever more integrated global supply chain.

North Carolina's 23 freight railroads operate over 3,125 miles of track and employ 1,614 in the Tar Heel State.* It would have taken approximately 4.2 million additional trucks to handle the 74.9 million tons of freight that started, ended, or moved through North Carolina in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 3.23 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 633,000 cars off the road or planting 48.9 million trees. Intermodal and chemicals comprise the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in North Carolina. Coal and farm products are the largest rail import to the state.

*2021 data

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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 3,442 miles of track and employ 2,389 in the Empire State.* It would have taken approximately 3.4 million additional trucks to handle the 61.4 million tons of freight that started, ended, or moved through New York in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 2.59 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 509,000 cars off the road or planting 39.3 million trees. 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.

*2021 data

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Freight Rail Continues to Bring Growth in New Mexico

Railroads have a played a substantial role in the Land of Enchantment economy since the first tracks arrived in the New Mexico Territory in 1879. In recent years, expansion and maintenance of the rail network has provided a steady stream of capital investment in New Mexico and helped the state substantially increase its exports across the southern border.

New Mexico's six freight railroads operate over 1,859 miles of track and employ 1,349 in the Land of Enchantment.* It would have taken approximately 344,000 additional truckloads to move the 6.2 million tons of freight that moved by rail in New Mexico in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 438,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 86,000 cars off the road or planting 6.64 million trees. Coal and crude oil make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in New Mexico. Intermodal shipments are the largest rail imports to the state.

*2021 data

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