State Rail Network
Class I Railroads
| BNSF Railway | 1,450 |
| Union Pacific | 540 |
| Total | 1,990 |
Short Line Railroads
| Ballard Terminal Railroad | 2 |
| Cascade & Columbia River Railroad | 154 |
| Central Washington Railroad | 80 |
| Columbia & Cowlitz Railway | 9 |
| Columbia and Walla Walla Railway | 82 |
| Total | 1,352 |
Moving Washington's Economy. Connecting Communities.
More than twice as export-intensive as the average U.S. state, Washington and its manufacturers, farms and communities rely on freight rail to move commodities and products from inland locations to seaports.
Originating
Received
State Grants
Freight Rail Assistance Program (FRAP)
Freight Rail Investment Bank (FRIB)
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…
Policy Issues Rail Policy Landscape in the 117th Congress
Washington, D.C. — As the 117th Congress dives into its work—and committee assignments and leadership roles have been finalized—we now know more about the key…
Economic Impact Three Reasons to Love America’s Freight Trains
Washington, D.C. — The allure of railroading in America is undeniable. It’s an intrinsic part of our nation’s history and identity—steel wheels on steel rail…
Featured Rail Supply Companies
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
Washington
Nate Kaplan
State DirectorWith a decade of experience working in the rail industry, Nate covers the Western United States and parts of New England for GoRail. His background in local, state, and federal government makes him an effective transportation and public policy leader.
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