Freight Rail Keeps Florida On Track

From Florida’s Tropicana “Juice Train” to its powerful ports, freight rail connections are essential to moving the Sunshine state’s economy. CSX is headquartered in Jacksonville and Norfolk Southern and several short line and regional railroads make it possible for Florida industries to reach markets around the world.

Florida's 16 freight railroads operate over 2,716 miles of track and employ 3,577 in the Sunshine State.* It would have taken approximately 2.2 million additional truckloads to move the 39.5 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Florida in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 4.35 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 853,000 cars off the road or planting 65.9 million trees. Intermodal shipments and nonmetallic minerals comprise the majority of freight rail shipments beginning and ending in Florida.

*2021 data

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Freight Rail Protects Delaware Roads and Bridges

With freight volumes increasing, highway congestion getting worse and not enough tax dollars to keep up with First State roadway repair needs, the benefits of shipping cargo by rail rather than road are clear. The Port of Wilmington is already the number one U.S. gateway for perishable cargo and it stands to see an uptick in freight movements with an expanded Panama Canal and more ships seeking East Coast delivery points. More of this cargo moving in and out of the Port by rail means fewer trucks and less damage to Delaware roads.

Delaware's seven freight railroads operate over 230 miles of track and employ 147 in the First State.* It would have taken approximately 22,000 additional truckloads to move the 0.4 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Delaware in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 736,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 144,000 cars off the road or planting 11.2 million trees.

*2021 data

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Constitution State Looks to Freight Rail to Boost Economy, Ease Highway Congestion

Connecticut officials are banking on freight rail investments to reduce transportation costs and roadway congestion while also helping the economy and creating jobs. Steps to modernize freight rail infrastructure will link Connecticut to the national freight rail network, boosting existing businesses and luring new companies to Connecticut.

Connecticut's nine freight railroads operate over 571 miles of track and employ 111 in the Constitution State.* It would have taken approximately 78,000 additional truckloads to move the 1.4 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Connecticut in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 519,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 102,000 cars off the road or planting 7.86 million trees. Nonmetallic minerals and waste and scrap make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Connecticut. Primary metal products are the largest rail imports to the state.

*2021 data

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Freight Rail Drives Centennial State Economy

Railroads and Colorado grew up together – literally – as towns, cities and businesses sprouted and thrived along the first railroads. Today, the rail system that was so instrumental in Colorado’s early development has evolved as a prime economic driver in the movement of freight to, from and through the state.

Colorado's 14 freight railroads operate over 2,545 miles of track and employ 1,814 in the Centennial State.* It would have taken approximately 844,000 additional truckloads to move the 15.2 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Colorado in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 2.47 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 483,000 cars off the road or planting 37.4 million trees. Coal and glass and stone comprises the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Colorado and intermodal is the largest import to the state.

*2021 data

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Freight Rail a Key to California’s Green Economy

Freight rail provides the seamless connections that keep California’s economy on track, from its 11 ports and Mexican border trade, to Inland Empire manufacturers and distribution centers, to its many farms and wineries. Rail is also leading the way to a greener future with its scale and efficiency: a single train can move a ton of freight nearly 500 miles on a single gallon of fuel and carry the load of several hundred trucks.

California's 27 freight railroads operate over 4,948 miles of track and employ 6,936 in The Golden State.* It would have taken approximately 3.5 million additional truckloads to move the 167.4 million tons of freight that moved by rail in California in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 16.6 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 3.25 million cars off the road or planting 251.5 million trees. Intermodal shipments, mostly arriving through California's world-class ports, make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in California. Intermodal shipments and farm products are the largest rail imports to the state.

*2021 data

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Intermodal Connections Opening Opportunity in Arkansas

Railroads help form a seamless and integrated freight transportation web in partnership with river ports and motor carriers in Arkansas. With freight rail a key component, intermodal facilities in the Natural State provide access to markets across the U.S. and around the world.

Arkansas's 24 freight railroads operate over 2,554 miles of track and employ 2,276 in the Natural State.* It would have taken approximately 910,000 additional truckloads to move the 16.4 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Arkansas in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 2.2 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 430,000 cars off the road or planting 33.3 million trees. Nonmetallic minerals and primary metal products make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Arkansas. Intermodal is the largest rail import to the state.

*2021 data

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Rapid Growth Means Increased Demand for Freight Rail in Grand Canyon State

Long a “bridge state” with rail and highway freight passing through between West Coast ports and markets to the east, Arizona is a rapidly growing destination in itself, with the combined Phoenix and Tucson markets of 2030 on pace to equal or exceed the current scale of greater Los Angeles. The state is looking to railroads to accommodate massive increases in freight transportation demand, and all Arizonans stand to benefit from railroads’ ability to deliver goods safely and efficiently while also saving on fuel and reducing carbon emissions.

Arizona's 11 freight railroads operate over 1,724 miles of track and employ 2,389 in the Grand Canyon State.* It would have taken approximately 238,000 additional truckloads to move the 4.3 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Arizona in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 1.95 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 383,000 cars off the road or planting 29.6 million trees. Intermodal and metallic ores comprise the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Arizona. Coal is the largest rail import to the state.

*2021 data

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Freight Rail a Key Part of Alabama’s Economic Future

With Alabama producing a quarter of all autos manufactured in the South and the Port of Mobile preparing to handle more traffic flowing through an expanded Panama Canal, railroads are more vital than ever to the state’s economic future. Freight rail reaches every corner of Alabama and is playing a key role in the development of a growing manufacturing sector while also supporting agriculture and forestry in the state.

Alabama's 26 freight railroads operate over 3,165 miles of track and employ 2,561 in the Yellowhammer State.* It would have taken approximately 1.8 million additional truckloads to move the 32.6 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Alabama in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 3.57 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 699,000 cars off the road or planting 54 million trees. Coal, primary metal products and chemicals comprise the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Alabama. Coal is the largest rail import to the state.

*2021 data

Fact Sheet

Old Dominion Seeks to Accommodate New Growth Through Freight Rail

As a major port state that also serves as a crossroads for the entire Mid-Atlantic region, Virginia is looking to freight rail to help handle massive increases in freight tonnage expected over the next 20 years. Greater use of freight rail will provide an economic boost to communities and businesses throughout the Commonwealth while also relieving pressure on the highway system by diverting freight from truck to rail, particularly along the I-81 corridor.

Virginia's 10 freight railroads operate over 3,050 miles of track and employ 2,738 in the Old Dominion.* It would have taken approximately 1.5 million additional truckloads to move the 26.9 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Virginia in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 3.33 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 653,000 cars off the road or planting 50.5 million trees. Intermodal and coal comprise the majority of freight rail shipments beginning and ending in Virginia.

*2021 data

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