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 41 freight railroads operate over 3,786 miles of track and employ 5,855 in the Hoosier State.* It would have taken approximately 18.4 million additional truckloads to move the 331.6 million tons of freight that moved by rail in Indiana in 2017. 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.
*2017 data
