Boom Times on the Tracks: Rail Capacity, Spending Soar

Major freight railroads are in the midst of a building boom unlike anything since the industry’s Gilded Age heyday in the 19th century — this year pouring $14 billion into rail yard, refueling stations and additional track, the WSJ reports on A1. The current race isn’t about expanding geographically— it’s about making existing rail lines more efficient and able to haul more types of freight. U.S. freight demand is projected to grow by half, to $27.5 billion by 2040, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. All told, 2013 stands to be the industry's third year in a row of record capital spending.