The state of the nation's railyards and railways are an excellent leading economic indicator. Empty railyards, combined with fewer and shorter trains, mean the raw materials of our economy are not on the move as much as they are when the economy is strong. Building materials (cement, lumber, gypsum, sand, etc.), consumer goods, plastic, chemicals and the myriad raw materials for manufacturing...all are transported largely by rail. This autorack train, loaded with new cars, is much shorter than--about half the length of--a typical autorack train. Railborne freight volume is down all across the nation right now.
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