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.
