Class Is', regionals' and short lines' cooperative spirit has been growing the past two years, leading to more business for the entire industry, says Association of American Railroads in a statement prepared March 12.
Class Is and small roads together handled more than three million carloads in both 2000 and 2001, and last year increased volume 3 percent despite the industry's flat carload traffic.
Service and rate packages smaller carriers develop with Class Is are helping attract freight from shippers that haven't used rail for years, said American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association President Frank Turner.
"To keep the business we've attracted, we have to have outstanding service from our Class I connections, and service is now as good as it's ever been," he said.
There's no substitute for the cooperative relationship between Class Is and small roads to attract new business or better serve existing customers, said AAR President and Chief Executive Officer Edward Hamberger.
"This shows what the railroad industry can accomplish when we work together," he said.
Source: Progressive Railroading Daily News
