New Jersey and Freight Rail: Perfect Together

Freight rail plays a key role in making the Port of New York and New Jersey the East Coast’s busiest. The fact that one train can carry the load of several hundred trucks while moving a ton of cargo nearly 500 miles on a single gallon of fuel also means freight rail helps keep the Garden State green.

New Jersey's 20 freight railroads operate over 1,087 miles of track and employ 887 in the Garden State.* It would have taken approximately 2.7 million additional trucks to handle the 48.2 million tons of freight that started, ended, or moved through New Jersey in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 3.19 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 625,000 cars off the road or planting 48.3 million trees. Intermodal and waste and scrap materials comprise the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in New Jersey. Intermodal and chemicals are the state's largest rail imports.

*2021 data

Fact Sheet

Following Decades of Decline, Granite State Once Again Looks to Freight Rail

Rail service in New Hampshire has shrunk considerably in recent decades, but the state is looking to partner with remaining Granite State railroads to rebuild. To boost existing businesses and attract new economic development, the New Hampshire State Rail Plan identifies a series of steps like upgrading track to safely carry heavier railcars, raising tunnel clearances to accommodate double-stack intermodal service, and other measures to modernize the state’s rail network.

New Hampshire's 10 freight railroads operate 369 miles of track and employ 169 in the Granite State.* It would have taken approximately 235,000 additional trucks to handle the 4.2 million tons of freight that started, ended, or moved through New Hampshire in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 172,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 34,000 cars off the road or planting 2.61 million trees.

*2021 data

Fact Sheet

Freight Rail Opening New Opportunity in Silver State

Nevada may be land-locked, but freight rail connections are helping the Silver State attract new warehousing, distribution and manufacturing operations seeking a West Coast hub. For those gambling on the future of commerce in the west, freight rail helps make Nevada a safe bet for economic growth.

Nevada's two freight railroads operate over 1,193 miles of track and employ 514 in the Silver State.* It would have taken approximately 136,000 additional truckloads to move the 2.5 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Nevada in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 514,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 101,000 cars off the road or planting 7.8 million trees.

*2021 data

Fact Sheet

Cornhusker State’s Past and Future Steeped in Freight Rail

Home to Union Pacific Railroad headquarters and steeped in rail history, Nebraska is a state with a deep appreciation for the many public benefits of freight rail. The freight rail network provides a major advantage to companies that locate in Nebraska, enabling strategic supply chain delivery via direct mid-continent routes.

Nebraska's nine freight railroads operate over 3,138 miles of track and employ 8,436 in the Cornhusker State.* It would have taken approximately 18.0 million additional trucks to handle the 323.6 million tons of freight that started, ended, or moved through Nebraska in 2021. Farm products make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Nebraska. Coal is the largest rail import to the state.

*2021 data

Fact Sheet

Freight Rail Ready to Facilitate Future Growth in Montana

With the Treasure State’s population forecast to grow by more than 60 percent between 2005 and 2030, freight transportation demand can be expected to rise sharply. Freight rail already plays a lead role in transporting Montana coal, minerals, ores and grain to global markets and it will continue to be a key tool as the state accommodates future growth.

Montana's six freight railroads operate over 3,680 miles of track and employ 2,772 in the Treasure State.* It would have taken approximately 5.8 million additional trucks to handle the 105.0 million tons of freight that started, ended, or moved through Montana in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 4.19 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 822,000 cars off the road or planting 63.5 million trees. Coal and farm products make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Montana. Petroleum and chemicals are the largest rail imports to the state.

*2021 data

Fact Sheet

Show-Me State at the Crossroads of America’s Rail Network

With large rail yards in Kansas City and St. Louis, connections to significant east-west and north-south rail lines, the headquarters of one of the nation’s largest railroads, Kansas City Southern, and significant passenger rail routes, Missouri really is at the crossroads of America’s rail network. For Missouri farms and factories, freight rail is the gateway to the world.

Missouri's 18 freight railroads operate over 3,734 miles of track and employ 5,740 in the Show-Me State.* It would have taken approximately 19.2 million additional trucks to handle the 345.4 million tons of freight that started, ended, or moved through Missouri in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 4.66 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 914,000 cars off the road or planting 70.6 million trees. Intermodal and food glass and stone make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Missouri. Coal is the largest rail import to the state.

*2021 data

Fact Sheet

Freight Rail Means Progress in Magnolia State

Growth in Mississippi auto manufacturing, shipbuilding and the energy sector are just a few examples of economic development facilitated by freight rail in the Magnolia State. With freight volumes forecast to increase approximately 50 percent by 2040, and a scarcity of funds for highway upkeep and improvements, the benefits of robust infrastructure investments by freight railroads are clear to see.

Mississippi's 24 freight railroads operate over 2,541 miles of track and employ 1,733 in the Magnolia State.* It would have taken approximately 5.8 million additional trucks to handle the 105.2 million tons of freight that started, ended, or moved through Mississippi in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 1.23 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 242,000 cars off the road or planting 18.7 million trees. Chemicals and primary metal products comprise the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Mississippi. Chemicals and nonmetallic minerals are the largest rail imports to the state.

*2021 data

Fact Sheet

Private Sector Rail Investments Drive Economic Development in North Star State

Responsible for over a quarter million Minnesota jobs and $40 billion of the state’s gross domestic product, freight rail plays a huge role in Minnesota’s economic success. Railroads’ support for Minnesota agriculture, industry, forestry, mining and more adds an estimated $2,000 to the average Minnesotan’s income – or more than $5,000 per household.

Minnesota's 19 freight railroads operate over 4,373 miles of track and employ 3,750 in the North Star State.* It would have taken approximately 13.3 million additional trucks to handle the 240.2 million tons of freight that started, ended, or moved through Minnesota in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 9.05 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 1.77 million cars off the road or planting 137.1million trees. Metallic ores and farm products comprise the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Minnesota. Metallic ores and coal are the state's largest rail imports.

*2021 data

Fact Sheet

Freight Rail Key to Economic Future in Great Lakes State

From the auto industry and other manufacturers to mining and agriculture, Michigan’s productive freight rail network provides key connections to keep the Great Lakes State economy moving forward. Accounting for about one-third of all U.S. exports, freight rail is a big reason Michigan is a top-10 exporter state.

Michigan's 29 freight railroads operate over 3,429 miles of track and employ 2,352 in the Great Lakes State.* It would have taken approximately 4.1 million additional trucks to handle the 73.6 million tons of freight that started, ended, or moved through Michigan in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 6.97 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 1.37 million cars off the road or planting 105.6 million trees. Motor vehicles and parts and intermodal shipments make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Michigan. Intermodal and coal are the largest rail imports to the state.

*2021 data

Fact Sheet

Freight Rail Cuts Congestion, Drives Green Economy in Bay State

With freight shipments increasing and highway congestion on the rise, rail offers Massachusetts a way to tackle growing demand without tying commuters up in ever worsening traffic. Because freight rail moves cargo economically while using less fuel and emitting fewer pollutants than trucks, companies and communities throughout the Commonwealth benefit from rail in more ways than one.

Massachusetts's 14 freight railroads operate over 868 miles of track and employ 593 in The Bay State.* It would have taken approximately 773,000 additional trucks to handle the 13.9 million tons of freight that started, ended, or moved through Massachusetts in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 859,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 168,000 cars off the road or planting 13 million trees. Intermodal and waste and scrap make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Massachusetts. Intermodal shipments are the largest rail imports to the commonwealth.

*2021 data

Fact Sheet