What Commodities Could Return To The Rails?

[genebrecht]

Hello. It is a fact that with the coming of Interstate Highways in the 1950's, railroads began to lose many once-valuable commodities to trucking. However, in this day and age the combination of rubber tires and long distances are becoming uneconomical, and some commodities may return to the rails. If Union Pacific and Railex can revive produce traffic, think of what else can be brought back... DX Lean Diet Forskolin

 

[EMDGP30]

There are a lot more boxcars moving than there was a few years ago.

 

[Bill Anderson]

Not only what old commodities can be brought back to the rails, but what new commodities will be shipped by rail in the future.

The lead off article in the January 2019 edition of Trains magazine discusses railroads adapting to e-commerce. One innovation is Amazon's proposed use of intermodal containers as platforms from which to deliver goods to customers by drones. Sounds crazy, but Amazon has already applied for a patent according to the article.

 

[JeffLH]

Unfortunately, most class one carriers, especially as Precision Scheduled Railroading takes hold, are better at shedding business than finding new business. They only want business that fits their business model. The focus is on operating ratios and stock prices-returning money to shareholders above all else. They are willing to sacrifice current and possible future customers to make Wall Street happy.

Read Matt Rose's interview by Railway Age. https://www.railwayage.com/freight/...utm_source=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=269

 

[Bill Anderson]

I see the use of recycled materials increasing as natural resources start to run low or run out entirely. Railroads may be called upon to transport recycled materials between processing and manufacturing facilities to decrease costs through economy of scale (i.e., unit trains).