What state has the longest railroad?

While the United States has the largest overall rail network, China boasts the largest highspeed rail network. In 2021 the country operated nearly 40,500 kilometers of highspeed rail lines.



People Also Ask

The Trans-Siberian Railway, historically known as the Great Siberian Route and often shortened to Transsib, is a large railway system that connects European Russia to the Russian Far East. Spanning a length of over 9,289 kilometers (5,772 miles), it is the longest railway line in the world.

MORE DETAILS

The United States has the world's longest railway network, followed by China and India.

MORE DETAILS

Union Pacific Railroad — Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska Founded in 1862, Union Pacific (UP) has been providing train transportation for 156 years. It's the largest railroad in North America, operating 51,683 miles in 23 states.

MORE DETAILS

This is an interactive map of the major freight railroads, also known as class I railroads in the United States. They include CSX, Norfolk Southern (NS), Burlington Northern and Santa Fe (BNSF), Union Pacific (UP), Canadian Pacific (CP), Canadian National Railway (CN), and the Kansas City Southern (KCS).

MORE DETAILS

List of major United States railroads
  • Amtrak.
  • BNSF Railway.
  • Canadian National Railway.
  • CPKC Railway.
  • CSX Transportation.
  • Norfolk Southern Railway.
  • Union Pacific Railroad.


MORE DETAILS

What is the biggest Class I Railroad?
  • BNSF Railway – $25.9 Billion Revenue, 32,500 route miles, 35,000 employees.
  • Union Pacific Railroad – $24.9 Billion Revenue, 32,100 route miles, 32,100 employees.
  • CSX Transportation – $14.9 Billion Revenue, 20,000 route miles, 25,000 employees.


MORE DETAILS

Japan: Japan is often praised for having one of the world's most efficient and punctual railway systems. The country is known for its high-speed Shinkansen (bullet trains) and extensive network of commuter and regional trains. Japan's commitment to safety, cleanliness, and customer service is also noteworthy.

MORE DETAILS

While the United States has the largest overall rail network, China boasts the largest highspeed rail network. In 2021 the country operated nearly 40,500 kilometers of highspeed rail lines.

MORE DETAILS

The numerous freight and passenger trains coursing through Chicago define the city as the nation's railroad hub.

MORE DETAILS

The Strasburg Rail Road is the oldest operating railroad in the United States. Founded in 1832, it is known as a short line and is only seven kilometers long. Short lines connected passengers and goods to a main line that traveled to bigger cities.

MORE DETAILS

As of 2020, Texas was the U.S. state with the largest railroad mileage, reaching over 10,400 miles. It represented around 7.6 percent of the total mileage for the United States.

MORE DETAILS

The Australian BHP Iron Ore is the longest train ever recorded in history at approximately 4.6 miles (7.353 km). In the Pilbara region of Western Australia, BHP owns and runs the Mount Newman railway. This is a private rail network designed to transport iron ore.

MORE DETAILS

The Trans-Siberian Railway, historically known as the Great Siberian Route and often shortened to Transsib, is a large railway system that connects European Russia to the Russian Far East. Spanning a length of over 9,289 kilometers (5,772 miles), it is the longest railway line in the world.

MORE DETAILS

More major railroads serve Chicago than other U.S. city. Six out of the seven existing Class I Railroads in the U.S. – the largest and most profitable railroads – run through the Chicago area.

MORE DETAILS

Japan: L0 Series Maglev (374 mph) Although not yet in regular service, this Japanese train, which is currently being developed and tested by the Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), holds the land speed record for rail vehicles, clocking in at 374 mph.

MORE DETAILS

The largest rail company in the world is Deutsche Bahn, with a revenue of $47.72 billion. As of 2021, the global rail industry has a market size of $295.80 billion.

MORE DETAILS

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive when conducting training on railroading basics is: “Who owns the railroad tracks?” In the United States and Canada, that answer is overwhelmingly the railroads themselves.

MORE DETAILS

BNSF Railway leads the market The railroad focuses on transporting freight commodities such as coal, industrial or agricultural products. In 2022, the company generated some 24.49 billion U.S. dollars in freight revenue and hauled more than 10 million carloads across the country.

MORE DETAILS

There are seven major railroads in the United States (Class I railroads) and over 500 shortline and regional railroads (Class II & Class III railroads). These lines are critical for shippers needing an economical solution to long-haul transportation. See our interactive maps below.

MORE DETAILS