Keeping Track

Rail cargo traffic in the Golden State has grown dramatically since 1991 as the boom in international trade and the growth of the California market have spurred demand for cargo transportation. The railroad industry nationwide is in a rebirth mode. New technology, regulatory reform and more aggressive management have driven industry growth while trimming the number of rail workers. Industry consolidation means two carriers, Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe, own about 80% of the state’s 6,544 miles of rail. Union Pacific is doing “massive upgrades” on its Sunset/Golden State routes that run through Beaumont and Banning to markets in the Midwest and Southeast. The railroad company is also working on its Interstate 5 Corridor route through the Central Valley to lure cargo from competing truck lines.

Largest railroads in California, by percent of rail miles

Union Pacific (owns Southern Pacific): 60%

Burlington Northern Santa Fe: 20%

30 smaller railroads: 20%

*

Rail cargo transported through the Port of Long Beach

In millions of rail TEUs*

1996: 1.28

* Equivalent of a 20-foot cargo container.

*

Rail carloads handled in California

In millions

1995: 4.09

Railroad employment in California

In thousands

1996: 14.8

Amtrak passenger traffic in California

In millions

1996: 1.01

Sources: Assn. of American Railroads; Amtrak West; Burlington Northern Santa Fe; California Employment Development Department; Jack Kyser, Economic Development Corp. of Los Angeles County; Port of Long Beach; Union Pacific

Researched by JENNIFER OLDHAM / Los Angeles Times