3 Industries That Rely on The Railroad System

According to the BLS, Railroads haul the most freight of any transport type in the US when you consider both the amount of weight carried as well as the sheer distance it must travel on the railroad system. It’s clear that without the railroad system, many industries would cease to operate as the sheer volume of their output would be impossible to carry by other means of transportation. Supporting the claim that the railroad system is an integral part of the economic backbone of the country, the BLS also states that the railroad system is a great barometer of how well the economy is doing. Nevertheless, here are 3 industries that strongly rely on the railroad system to have their needs met.

1 – The Automotive Industry

It would be all too easy to state that the coal or steel industry relies on railroads the most, that would be a given. Who relies on steel? There are two “essential” industries that we will list below, but this is a good example of an industry that is more commercially oriented but strongly relies on freight. Not only are cars great, big pieces of steel put together well, but they’re also reliant on rail transport to get to where they need.

The Automotive Industry Relies Heavily on the Railroad System to Meet Their Needs

Sure, when you visit a dealership and they need to deliver your car before you can drive it home, perhaps that one car may be driven down or towed to your location, but how does all of the inventory get there? Multiple dealerships with hundreds of cars, they are not manufactured on location of course! These are things civilians outside of the industry do not consider. There are 40+ automotive plants in the United States alone, consider how many cars are produced in the country by the leading manufacturers. The railroad system carries all of their output to the respective states they need to end up in.

2 – Construction

Without train freight, construction would occur at a pace far too slow for anyone’s needs. Construction is always ongoing, as society continues to modernize to the latest advancements in architectural standards, developing new land, or renovating existing infrastructure, train freight supplies the materials. Steel, stone, wood, plastics, and minerals all heavy cargo and without powerful locomotives and well maintained tracks, they’d never make it there. According to the AAR (Association of American Railroads), freight railroads moved 1.5 million carloads of lumber, steel, and other materials in 2018. Not only that, but 20% of all steel products are immediately used for the purposes of construction after processing at steel mills.

3 – Food and Agriculture Products

The term “from farm to table” has become incredibly popular in recent years. As the developed world asks greater questions about what a good diet entails, how much meat we should eat, and what are the most sustainable methods of farming, agriculture, and consumption, the railroads are always at work to transport agricultural products under the current demands.

The Agriculture Is Another Great Example that Relies Heavily on the Railroad System

While freight carries many things relevant to farming such as fertilizers or goods such as canned foods, grain is one of the most important things transported. Things such as corn, oats, wheat, rice, barley, etc, are used in just about every food industry you can think of. These base ingredients are the essence of the country’s dietary needs; consider how much grain is needed to feed livestock alone.

railroad safety standards

What Industries Benefited From Railroads?

Railroads opened up new markets for many different industries, including agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. Farmers could now ship their crops to cities and other states more easily and cheaply than ever before. Minerals and other resources could be transported from mines to factories more efficiently. And finished products could be shipped to distant markets quickly and affordably. All of this led to increased production and profits for many businesses, as well as more jobs for workers. Railroads are important for increasing profits.

What industries could benefit from our railroad services? The answer is that many businesses can, and still do benefit from our services. We offer a fast, reliable, and relatively inexpensive way to move people and goods around. This has led to increased production and profits for many businesses, as well as more jobs for workers. Many different types of businesses have benefited from the development of railroads, including agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and even tourism. Railroads have helped farmers ship their crops to markets more easily and cheaply than ever before. They have helped miners transport minerals and other resources from mines to factories more efficiently. And they have helped manufacturers ship finished products to distant markets quickly and affordably. All of this has led to increased production and profits for railroad companies across the United States.

Other questions that people have about railroad companies and how they are used across industries are as follows:

  • What are the types of businesses that have benefited from railroads?
  • What are the products that have been transported by railroads?
  • What are some of the advantages of using railroads for transportation?
  • What are some of the disadvantages of using railroads for transportation?
  • What is the future of railroads in America?

Only time will tell what the future holds for railroads in America. But one thing is certain: they have played a vital role in the development of our country and will continue to do so for many years to come. That’s why we strive to be the best Midwest Railroad Contractor in North America. Some of our railroad services include consulting, surveying, track installation, track rehabilitation, & track maintenance.

Midwest Railroad Contractor

At RS Track, we pride ourselves on our track rehabilitation and maintenance. When the tracks are down, so too are these industries (and many more) that make up much of the country’s need for raw materials.

If you are seeking a qualified railroad track contractor, look no further than R&S Track. We boast a 100% customer satisfaction policy and are a compliant and certified Railroad Track Contractor.

Contact us today to receive price estimate or if you have any questions you’d like to ask us!