2009 Freight Rail Works Campaign Touts ‘Big Numbers’
13 Feb 2009
Contact: Tom White
(202) 639-2556; twhite@aar.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2009 Freight Rail Works Campaign Touts ‘Big Numbers’
Campaign features real people advocating environmental benefits of shipping more freight by rail
WASHINGTON, February 12, 2009 --- The Association of American Railroads has launched its 2009 “Freight Rail Works” campaign, featuring television, radio, print and on-line ads highlighting the fuel-efficiency and environmental benefits of shipping freight by rail.
This year’s “Big Numbers” campaign promotes freight rail’s fuel saving credentials – a train can move a ton of freight 436 miles on one gallon of fuel – and congestion-busting abilities – one freight train can move the load of 280 trucks. The campaign also features real people advocating the benefits of moving freight by rail. Chandra Kraut, a green urban planner from California, showcases the “280” spot. Ron Gray, a corn grower from Claremont, Illinois and member of the Illinois Corn Growers Association, lauds the 436 miles per gallon accomplishment.
“What an amazing opportunity to promote what I am so passionate about – the reduction of traffic congestion and the reduction of CO2 emissions,” said Kraut. “When you visualize removing 280 trucks from the roadways – opening it up for passenger vehicles and reducing the huge amount of CO2 all those trucks emit – it is amazing. We need to be getting as much as we can on freight rail and off the roadways,” she said.
Farmer Gray touts the economic benefits of shipping by rail. “Freight rail can move one ton of freight – like my corn - four hundred and thirty six miles on one gallon of fuel. And because it’s so fuel efficient, freight rail keeps our air cleaner —and keeps shipping costs lower,” he says in the ad.
The 2009 Freight Rail Works campaign echoes the message of the 2008 campaign: railroads are the most efficient and most environmentally sound way to keep America’s freight moving.
“Freight rail promotes sustainability and a better quality of life,” said AAR President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger. “The ability of our trains to ease congestion, reduce pollution, and improve energy efficiency, goes a long way toward ensuring a cleaner, safer and more efficient future for all Americans.”
To view the ads and to learn more about the Association of American Railroads’ Freight Rail Works “Big Numbers” campaign, please visit www.freightrailworks.org.