READY TO TRAIN YOUR BRAIN?

As a vital part of our nation’s transportation network, freight rail plays a key role in supporting the economy, supporting jobs, and delivering goods efficiently and sustainably. Test your knowledge and discover some mind blowing facts about America’s freight rail network. Answers are at the end of this newsletter (no peeking!).

1. Approximately what percentage of U.S. long-distance freight volume (measured by ton-miles) do freight railroads account for?

   (A) 25%
   (B) 40%
   (C) 50%

2. What is the typical total annual compensation range for Class I railroad employees?

   (A) $75,000 to $100,000
   (B) $135,000 to $190,000
   (C) $200,000 to $250,000

3. On average, approximately how much do Class I railroads invest annually in their network?

   (A) $5 million
   (B) $12 billion
   (C) $23 billion

4. Freight railroads invest how much more in capital spending (as a share of revenue) compared to the average manufacturer?

   (A) 2 times
   (B) 3 times
   (C) 6 times

5. How many times could the U.S. freight rail network circle the earth?

   (A) 5
   (B) 8
   (C) 9

6. Which technology is commonly used for railcar inspections?

   (A) Train inspection portals
   (B) Drones
   (C) Satellite tracking

7. Approximately what percentage of Class I railroad employees are unionized?

   (A) 20%
   (B) 50%
   (C) 80%

EXPERT INPUT

“The Department of Transportation’s mandate should be to protect safety, not special interests, and promote efficiency, not stop progress,” says Daniel Castro of the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation.

“If the incoming Trump administration wants to create a golden age of transportation — improving both the safety and efficiency of passenger travel and freight movement — technology-driven automation should be a top priority from day one.”

INVESTMENT SPOTLIGHT

☝ Union Pacific and Chick-fil-A Supply employees celebrate the arrival of Union Pacific’s first train at the distribution center.

Union Pacific is part of Chick-fil-A’s secret sauce! The railroad partnered with the fast food giant to open its first rail-served distribution center at Prime Pointe Industrial Park near Hutchins, Texas. Serving over 200 regional restaurants, the facility handles daily shipments, cutting more than 100 weekly truck trips.

Industry Reads

WALL STREET JOURNAL
U.S. Dockworkers, Employers Set to Resume Labor Talks

LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT
Truck Tonnage Levels Remain on an Uneven Path, Reports ATA

TRANSPORT TOPICS
New IANA CEO Anne Reinke Aims to Lift Intermodal

TRAINS
Terminal Dwell Is (Mostly) Down Across Class I Railroads as Service Recovery Continues

JOURNAL OF COMMERCE
IMCs Say Railroads Handled Peak Season Surge Better Than Pandemic (Premium)

How was your rail IQ? Check your answers!

Dive into our Railroad 101 to learn more about America’s freight railroads.

1. Freight railroads account for approximately 40% of U.S. long-distance freight volume (measured by ton-miles). (B)
2. The typical total annual compensation range for Class I railroad employees is $135,000 to $190,000. (B)
3. On average, Class I railroads invest approximately $23 billion annually in their network. (C)
4. Freight railroads invest six times more in capital spending as a share of revenue compared to the average manufacturer. (C)
5. The U.S. freight rail network could circle the earth five times. (A)
6. Train inspection portals are commonly used for railcar inspections. (A)
7. Approximately 80% of Class I railroad employees are unionized. (C)