Rail Central to Hoosier State History and Future

Railroads played a central role in Indiana’s development and growth in the 1830s, providing vital connections to the east and west and delivering the raw materials that fueled the growth of Hoosier State manufacturing. Indiana’s economy remains highly reliant on rail, with the energy, agriculture, construction and manufacturing sectors all counting on rail’s ability to safely and efficiently provide connections to key markets while also reducing energy usage and emissions.

Indiana's 43 freight railroads operate over 3,946 miles of track and employ 4,798 in the Hoosier State.* It would have taken approximately 2.8 million additional truckloads to move the 50.2 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Indiana in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 4.44 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 870,000 cars off the road or planting 67.2 million trees. Coal and primary metal products make up the majority of freight rail shipments beginning in Indiana. Coal is the largest rail import to the state.

*2021 data

Rail at Work

Indiana

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Featured Rail Advocates

Indiana
Mark Fisher
Mark Fisher
Chief Policy Officer, Indy Chamber

Featured Rail Supply Companies

Indiana

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Parsec, Inc.
Gregori Construction
NRCMA
Wabtec Corporation
Stella-Jones Inc.
Steel Dynamics, Inc. Structural & Rail Division
RJ Corman Railroad Group
RailWorks Corporation
Hulcher Services Inc.
Cranemasters, Inc.

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44 percent
decrease

in rail rates on average from 1981 to today.


That means the average rail customer today can ship significantly more freight for about the same price they paid 40 years ago. 

State Director

Indiana
Michael Gaynor

Michael Gaynor

Assistant Vice President, Field Operations

Michael Gaynor manages the field staff and operations for GoRail.