Can it Offset the Decline in Coal?
At the beginning of the Great Recession, intermodal transportation and coal transportation each accounted for about 26% of total railroad carloads. This article shows how their relative positions have now sharply shifted. Intermodal trailer and container loadings have reached an all time high after climbing steadily throughout the year. The article discusses how coal declined at the same time, while a sudden abundance of natural gas gave utilities a cheap and environmentally friendly alternative for the generation of electricity. Part of intermodal’s growth is due to an increasing diversion of highway traffic to rail. Rail’s fuel efficiency, price competitiveness, and improved service quality have combined with such factors as truck driver shortages to make intermodal the way of the future. The article discusses how the past few years have seen railroads pour large amounts of capital into large-scale corridor improvement projects. These projects involve creating clearances for doublestack trains, constructing double track and/or siding extensions, resignaling, and building new intermodal terminals at key locations.
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1586268
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Authors:
- Vantuono, William C
- Miller, Luther S
- Publication Date: 2012-7
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Print
- Features: Photos; Tables;
- Pagination: pp 17-20
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Serial:
- Railway Age
- Volume: 213
- Issue Number: 7
- Publisher: Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation
- ISSN: 0033-8826
- Serial URL: http://www.railwayage.com
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Capital investments; Coal industry; Improvements; Intermodal terminals; Intermodal transportation; Railroad signaling; Sidings (Railroads)
- Subject Areas: Planning and Forecasting; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities; I20: Design and Planning of Transport Infrastructure;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01380483
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Aug 21 2012 5:09PM