State Rail Network
Class I Railroads
| Canadian National | 154 |
| CSX Transportation | 1,049 |
| Norfolk Southern | 2,410 |
| Total | 3,613 |
Short Line Railroads
| Aliquippa & Ohio River Railroad | 6 |
| Allegheny Valley Railroad | 77 |
| Allentown & Auburn Railroad | 4 |
| Belvidere & Delaware River Railway | 1 |
| Brandywine Valley Railroad | 3 |
| Total | 3,098 |
Moving Pennsylvania's Economy. Connecting Communities.
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.
Originating
Received
State Grants
Rail Freight Assistance Program
Rail Heritage
Nazi saboteurs once targeted a curve of Pennsylvania track as a vital wartime link. Horseshoe Curve, built near Altoona between 1851 and 1854 by the Pennsylvania Railroad, founded in 1846 and grown within a few decades into the largest railroad and corporation in the world by traffic and revenue, sweeps 220 degrees to reduce the grade over the Alleghenies, work supported by the massive Altoona shops that once employed as many as 16,000 workers. Today it remains in daily use, carrying dozens of Norfolk Southern freight trains over the mountains it first conquered more than 170 years ago.
Why Freight Rail Matters
Supports Manufacturing
Rail connects manufacturers with suppliers and customers across North America, efficiently moving raw materials and finished goods.
Strengthens Agriculture
Rail helps move crops, forest products, fertilizers and other agricultural goods efficiently and affordably.
Reduces Congestion
Moving freight by rail removes trucks from highways, helping reduce traffic and wear on road infrastructure.
Protects the Environment
Freight rail is significantly more fuel efficient than moving freight by truck, helping reduce fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Rail at Work
Safety FRA Data Shows Major Rail Safety Gains in 2025
Washington, D.C. – New data from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) shows 2025 was a historic year for freight rail safety. Accident and injury rates…
Funding Opportunities These Three States Are Prioritizing Freight Rail
Washington, DC — States across the nation are recognizing freight rail as a core economic strategy by supporting their own grant programs to supplement federal grants and railroads’ private investments. Recent funding moves in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and New…
Economic Impact Lancaster Rail Developments Spark Economic Momentum
Lancaster, PA —Rail has long played a central role in Lancaster County’s identity. From the early days of industrial freight movement to the iconic whistle…
44 percent
decrease
in rail rates on average from 1981 to today.
That means the average rail customer today can ship significantly more freight for about the same price they paid 40 years ago.
State Director
Pennsylvania
Mike Neal
State DirectorAs GoRail’s Midwest State Director, Mike Neal brings more than 15 years of experience across state government, regulatory oversight, political operations, and public affairs.
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