Boom time on the tracks; rail capacity, spending soar

Containers are loaded onto a train at the BNSF facility in Fort Worth. /  Brandon Thibodeaux for The Wall Street Journal
Containers are loaded onto a train at the BNSF facility in Fort Worth. / Brandon Thibodeaux for The Wall Street Journal

By Betsy Morris | The Wall Street Journal

EPPING, N.D.—On a recent subzero day at a rail station here on the plains, a giant tank train stretches like a black belt across the horizon—as far as the eye can see. Soon it will be filled to the brim with light, sweet crude oil and headed to a refinery on Puget Sound. Another mile-long train will pull in right behind it, and another after that.

Increasingly, scenes like this are being played throughout the country. “Hot Trains” dedicated to high-priority customers like United Parcel Service Inc. UPS +0.46% roar across the country to deliver everything from microwaves to tennis shoes and Amazon.com AMZN +1.92% packages. FedEx Corp., FDX -0.07% known for its huge fleet of aircraft, is using more trains, too.

Welcome to the revival of the Railroad Age. North America’s major freight railroads are in the midst of a building boom unlike anything since the industry’s Gilded Age heyday in the 19th century—this year pouring $14 billion into rail yards, refueling stations, additional track. With enhanced speed and efficiency, rail is fast becoming a dominant player in the nation’s commercial transport system and a vital cog in its economic recovery.

Continued:

Share this!

Additional Articles

News Categories

Get Our Twice Weekly Newsletter!

* indicates required

Rose Law Group pc values “outrageous client service.” We pride ourselves on hyper-responsiveness to our clients’ needs and an extraordinary record of success in achieving our clients’ goals. We know we get results and our list of outstanding clients speaks to the quality of our work.