rail freight transportation author dr alan erera north american mode share 1996 us movements railroad flows economics in 1998 market 40 of intercity tons large markets 70 finished automobiles 64 coal generating 36 electricity grain domestic and export ii movement statistics volume 1 38 trillion ton miles carload 26 million carloads 8 intermodal trailers containers fleet 3 railcars 127 capacity costs less 57 ia than 1981 railroads are capital intensive primary commodities only 572 mm farm products 158 non metallic minerals131 petroleum 123 chemicals118 equipment6 9 chemicals food lumber pulp & paper georgia growth 17 revenues second to 23 cofc 62 tofc why labor efficiency fuel 50 savings over truck door service downsides speed reliability container land bridge asia europe double stack na network hub spoke efficiencies panama canal queuing delays nafta for up classification class one operating revenue 250 1991 91 total
