The Association of American Railroads have launched their campaign showing the benefits of moving freight across America versus the use of semi trucks. The three major points they issue, explaining the benefits of using the railway system over trucking are:
1. A freight train can move a ton of freight 436 miles on just one gallon of fuel, making rail the most environmentally friendly form of ground transportation in America.
2. A single intermodal train hauls the load of 280 trucks. Fewer trucks on the road means less congestion, less time spent in traffic and less money spent on gas for all of us.
3. Freight trains are the most efficient and cost-effective way to move goods. Freight rail infrastructure investments provide a 200% rate of return in terms in total economic output.
Watch their advertising videos
Cleaner air, less polution, fewer truckers on the road, lower shipping costs, saving fuel and saving the economy . . . this is the beginning of the return of the railroad system and the further trampling of our nations’ truck drivers.
Check out the campaign launch of the Association of American Railroads . . .
The future of trucking is changing . . . believe it or not.
Allen Smith
© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: association of american railroads, freight train, future trucking, intermodal train, railroad, system, truck drivers, Truckers, trucking, trucks
AskTheTrucker
I don’t want to sound like a nut…but…Americans think they have a problem with trucks… just wait until they have to deal with rails everywhere and the sound of trains passing constantly. This is what will happen.
Trains are already used heavily in the transportation of goods, and this gov’t of ours is taking steps which will create more problems than it solves…they are subsidizing the rail company’s with our tax dollars with an agenda in mind.
This is a reality which is upon us, and many jobs will be lost because of this.
Safe Trails and God Bless,
Frederick (SilverSurfer) Schaffner
Yes, Allen I agree it is changing. But, what the railroad doesn’t mention, is that they lose rail cars all the time, they send them in the wrong directions.
I know this for a fact, a company I used to work for had to pick up the slack whenever a rail car got lost…that was quite often.
A train derailed behind my Dads house a few years ago, two box cars and a tanker, they were all empty. It was determined that the reason for the derailment was the axel fell out of the tanker car.
Also, this particular tanker car, had been missing for three years…That car had been pulled around for three years empty…maybe that’s how they get such good fuel millage?
These truths are always left out due to the “spin” that is used by politicians, the Gov’t., etc. To me, it all boils down to the fact that this Administration has no interest in truckers or the industry what-so-ever or any appreciation for what our drivers do on a daily basis. Case in point: they are more interested in saving a 2 inch minnow in California and letting the farmers lose their crops and livelihood –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twd59PrqCNg
Which we all really know, is a set-up for increasing exports out of Mexico. The corruption and lies are something that so many Americans don’t want to believe or perhaps they just don’t care . . . someday they will, but by then it may be too late . . . Allen
Trains may be more fuel efficient and reduce road congestion, but do we really believe they can haul all the freight America consumes on a daily basis? How about fresh food? How well does a train perform in the delivery of an hotshot load? Overnight? Oversized loads? There are probably a lot of goods that can ride the rail, but there are millions of commodities that will spoil, rot, or otherwise deteriorate before they arrive. And the rails are not known for delivering goods on time and to a specific destination. Rail has a place in the supply chain, but it’s not the lead role. As the ATA slogan says: Trucks Bring It!
436 miles on 1 gallon of fuel? What are they smokin?
There will always be trucks on the road, that is obvious . . . the point of the article is to show that it will effect trucking in some manner, removing thousands of trucks from the roads. Perishable goods, etc., will always need trucks for movement….but if this new rail system does become reality, it will remove many trucks from our highways, thus costing more jobs for other drivers …..