From B&O to BMW, Freight Rail Generates Economic Opportunity in Maryland

The nation’s first common-carrier railroad, the B&O, had its start in downtown Baltimore and was a key to keeping the state competitive in the 19th century. Today, rail investments and innovations have helped the Port of Baltimore set records for the number of intermodal containers and autos to go through the port.

Maryland's nine freight railroads operate over 722 miles of track and employ 737 in the Old Line State.* It would have taken approximately 216,000 additional truckloads to move the 3.9 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Maryland in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 1.48 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 290,000 cars off the road or planting 22.4 million trees. Intermodal shipments comprise the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Maryland. Coal is the largest rail import to the state.

*2021 data

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Pine Tree State Prioritizes Rail Investment

Paper production remains an important part of Maine’s economy and the Pine Tree State has made a priority of improving the capacity of the rail system to link paper producers to national and international markets. Utilizing public private partnerships, Maine continues to work to expand rail service to boost local manufacturing and provide a viable alternative to over-the-road trucking.

Maine's six freight railroads operate over 1,116 miles of track and employ 466 in the Pine Tree State.* It would have taken approximately 102,000 additional truckloads to move the 1.8 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Maine in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 303,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 59,000 cars off the road or planting 4.59 million trees. Pulp and paper make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Maine. Petroleum products and glass and stone are the largest rail imports to the state.

*2021 data

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Pelican State Economy Soars on Freight Rail

Louisiana’s railroads play an essential role in connecting local companies and communities to markets throughout North America. Recent soaring growth in Louisiana’s petrochemical industry would not be possible without these key freight rail connections.

Louisiana's 20 freight railroads operate over 3,001 miles of track and employ 2,600 in the Pelican State.* It would have taken approximately 2.1 million additional truckloads to move the 37.2 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Louisiana in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 8.87 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 1.74 million cars off the road or planting 134.3 million trees. Chemicals make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Louisiana. Crude oil and chemicals are the largest rail imports to the state.

*2021 data

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Blue Grass Auto Industry Riding Rail to Success

Kentucky produced more than 1.3 million motor vehicles in 2016, with the Bluegrass State ranking first in the nation on a per capita basis in light vehicle production. Freight railroads play a key role in this success, carrying steel and other inputs to manufacturers and finished autos and auto parts out of Kentucky for distribution.

Kentucky's 13 freight railroads operate over 2,673 miles of track and employ 2,457 in the Bluegrass State.* It would have taken approximately 1.3 million additional truckloads to move the 22.6 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Kentucky in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 3.58 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 702,000 cars off the road or planting 54.2 million trees. Coal makes up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning and ending in the commonwealth.

*2021 data

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Sunflower State the Heartland of American Freight Rail

Kansas is much more than just the geographic center of the national rail network. With a distinguished rail history focused on moving wheat to customers worldwide, as well as massive recent rail investments into busy intermodal facilities, Kansas is also the economic heart of freight rail.

Kansas's 16 freight railroads operate over 4,748 miles of track and employ 4,296 in the Sunflower State.* It would have taken approximately 1.6 million additional truckloads to move the 28.6 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Kansas in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 4.58 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 898,000 cars off the road or planting 63.4 million trees. Intermodal shipments and farm products make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Kansas. Intermodal shipments are the largest rail imports to the state.

*2021 data

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Freight Rail Delivers Iowa Ethanol to National and World Markets

Consistently the nation’s leading corn producer, the Hawkeye State also leads the way on ethanol production at about 2 billion gallons per year. With only about 7 percent of ethanol consumed in state, railroads have a key role to play in shipping Iowa ethanol — and other agricultural and manufacturing products — to destinations across North America and for export internationally.

Iowa's 17 freight railroads operate over 3,827 miles of track and employ 2,658 in the Hawkeye State.* It would have taken approximately 2.7 million additional truckloads to move the 48.3 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Iowa in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 6.46 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 1.27 million cars off the road or planting 97.9 million trees. Food products and chemicals make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Iowa. Coal is the largest rail import to the state.

*2021 data

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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 2.8 million additional truckloads to move the 50.2 million tons of freight that moved by rail in 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

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Illinois Anchors America’s Freight Rail Network

Illinois is literally at the center of the freight rail network, with nearly 50 freight railroads and North America’s busiest rail hub in Chicago. The commitment of the private sector, the city of Chicago and the state and federal governments to the CREATE program shows how important Illinois is to freight rail operations nationwide.

Illinois's 52 freight railroads operate over 6,768 miles of track and employ 9,902 in the Prairie State.* It would have taken approximately 6.6 million additional truckloads to move the 118.9 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Illinois in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 12.5 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 2.45 million cars off the road or planting 189 million trees. Intermodal shipments and farm products make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Illinois. Intermodal shipments and coal are the largest imports to the state.

*2021 data

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Rail Powers Idaho’s Economy

Since Idaho’s statehood in 1890, rail transportation has been vital to the Gem State’s growth. Two of Idaho’s most important industries, agribusiness and the extraction of raw materials, continue to rely on rail service to connect to markets across the continent.

Idaho's 10 freight railroads operate over 1,654 miles of track and employ 1,176 in the Gem State.* It would have taken approximately 486,000 additional truckloads to move the 6.7 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Idaho in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 1.7 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 333,000 cars off the road or planting 25.7 million trees. Food products and nonmetallic minerals make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Idaho. Nonmetallic minerals, farm products and chemicals are the largest rail imports to the state.

*2021 data

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Peach State Rail Network a Boon to Businesses and Consumers

With the most extensive rail network and largest intermodal hub in the southeast, Georgia is well positioned for success in the global economy of the 21st century. Freight rail links Georgia businesses, distribution centers and ports with markets across the nation – and the world.

Georgia's 29 freight railroads operate over 4,538 miles of track and employ 5,428 in the Peach State.* It would have taken approximately 2.1 million additional truckloads to move the 38.4 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Georgia in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 4.99 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 978,000 cars off the road or planting 75.6 million trees. Intermodal shipments and nonmetallic minerals make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Georgia. Intermodal and coal are the largest rail imports to the state.

*2021 data

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