AAR FB Advertising FOR 2015, FREIGHT RAIL WILL CARRY THE ECONOMY.

[elleng]

The U.S. economy continues to grow, and strong demand for rail service demonstrates that the freight rail industry is integral to this growth. By providing cost-effective transportation of goods, from lumber to oil to auto parts, freight rail is playing a central role in positive economic trends — including rising gross domestic product, improving employment statistics and low gasoline prices.

Freight rail is ready for this and more. In 2015, the nation’s major freight railroads plan to spend an estimated $29 billion — which would set an annual record — to build, maintain and grow the rail network. This private​ spending will go​ to expenditures like new equipment and locomotives, installation of new track and bridges, the raising of tunnels and new technology used to keep America’s rail network the best in the world.

In addition, freight railroads estimate they will hire 15,000 people this year, building on hiring trends over the past five years. These are high-paying jobs being made available due to projected retirements, normal attrition as well as growth.

The combined economic impact of freight rail spending — roughly $575 billion over the past few decades — has rippled across the country. These private investments have helped improve safety, efficiency and reliability of the nation’s 140,000-mile rail network, while supporting more than 180,000 well-paying jobs at railroads nationwide. Freight railroads are providing an efficient, safe and affordable means by which U.S. products can travel to market anywhere in the country and, through ports, anywhere around the globe.

The tremendous benefits provided by private freight rail investments are only made possible by sound public policy and balanced economic regulations. As the 114th Congress begins its legislative session, and federal regulators weigh various rail regulatory proposals, it is essential that any changes to public policy still allow railroads to continue private infrastructure spending and other network investments needed to meet customer demand​.

For example, there are rail economic policy proposals to effectively set price caps on railroads that would curb investment at just the time when rail customers are calling for expanded service to meet the demands of an ascendant economy. The rail industry’s ability to transport products and commodities rests on its ability to earn the capital necessary to continue record private investments while supporting jobs across the country.

With the right federal policies in place, measures that support market pricing and do not stifle railroad investment, the world’s best rail network is on track to be even better.

https://www.aar.org/2015outlook?sf36038805=1

Sounds like there are some 'pricing' proposals they don't care for. I don't know what they are at the moment, but when I worked regulating them, they used fairly heavy hands to get their way.

'The tremendous benefits provided by private freight rail investments are only made possible by sound public policy and balanced economic regulations. As the 114th Congress begins its legislative session, and federal regulators weigh various rail regulatory proposals, it is essential that any changes to public policy still allow railroads to continue private infrastructure spending and other network investments needed to meet customer demand​.

For example, there are rail economic policy proposals to effectively set price caps on railroads that would curb investment at just the time when rail customers are calling for expanded service to meet the demands of an ascendant economy. The rail industry’s ability to transport products and commodities rests on its ability to earn the capital necessary to continue record private investments while supporting jobs across the country.'

[NBachers]

1. As the brother of a rail engineer, and a rail enthusiast, I thank you for this post.

[elleng]

2. You're welcome.

I wasn't an enthusiast until I worked for the Interstate Commerce Commission, where I learned a lot, and had a few serious rail enthusiast friends. I now follow what I can. Check out mahatmakanejeeves, who may check this thread soon.