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Mission Statement

Today, carload rail service -- if conducted using modern operating methods and technologies -- can provide very reliable and cost-effective transportation for any industrialized country.

No one wants to go back to the old days of 5-man crews and 100-mile crew districts that led to high rail costs and poor service. But shunting of railcars, when necessary, can now be done more cost-effectively than ever before. Remote controlled switch engines, low cost power switches, Dowty retarders and new methods of rail yard operation all make this possible. Effective implementation of these technologies will make customer-focused carload service affordable.

Under certain circumstances, carload service can be even more effective than intermodal for attracting and retaining rail market share. Efficient carload service offers an opportunity for shifting freight from highways. Shippers, rail carriers and government agencies should no longer neglect this option.

Still, railroads do not operate in a vacuum. Uneven public support for competing modes of transportation and taxation policies have drained railroad cash flow. That's cash that could otherwise have been invested in infrastructure or equipment improvements. Admittedly, in some places it will be hard for railroads to compete in the 21'st century using 19'th century infrastructure.

The key question for public agencies is: "If we build it, will they come?" While that answer has clearly been a big "YES" for highway facilities, unfortunately it's been less clear that investments in rail would make effective use of public funds. So, railroads must take advantage of opportunities they have to quickly show improvement. A reliance on rail service must not undermine the benefits of modern logistics systems, such as the ability to reduce inventory. After proving that "rail can do the job," railroads will stand a much better chance of attracting the public investment they so desperately need to level the playing field.

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Last Updated: July 17, 2002