💡 KEY TAKEAWAY
Railroads have driven the automotive industry since the early 1900s, providing safe and reliable transportation that offers a strong foundation for continued growth and vehicle sales that span the globe. Integral across all stages of car manufacturing, railroads have developed specialized railcars and adapted infrastructure to facilitate the movement of materials, components and finished vehicles.
📈 DATA POINTS
- Each year, freight rail moves nearly 75% of the new cars and light trucks purchased in the U.S.
- Railroads serve most of North America’s 70-plus automobile manufacturing plants.
- In a typical year, railroads carry 1.8 million carloads of motor vehicles and parts.
Railroads’ involvement in the automotive industry dates back to the early 1900s and Henry Ford’s innovative Highland Park assembly plant. As demand for new automobiles grew, railroads designed a railcar specifically to move automobiles, increasing the number of autos carried per railcar from two to ten or more.
Today, freight railroads offer North American automakers safe and reliable rail service, laying the groundwork for continued growth and vehicle sales that span the globe. No matter where the plants are located, the rail network is the backbone of the auto supply chain. In fact, railroads are involved in all stages of auto manufacturing – from moving the iron ore and coke needed to make steel to delivering semi-finished goods to manufacturing plants where they are used to produce auto parts and moving finished parts and final vehicles.
Auto Manufacturing
Freight railroads serve many customers. The North American auto industry includes manufacturing facilities located throughout the continent. Railroads serve most of the 70-plus automobile manufacturing plants across North America. Railroads move big volumes, long distances safely and reliably. A single manufacturing plant serving an entire continent is successful thanks in part to rail.
Meeting Customer Needs
Railroads are investing to maximize efficiency and meet customer needs. Automobiles must arrive at the dealer in pristine condition. To meet this customer need, railroads have purchased new autoracks — railcars specifically designed to transport finished vehicles from assembly plant to destination — and upgraded old ones.
These purchases include thousands of traditional autoracks with innovative new designs and thousands more that can convert from two to three levels to accommodate different types of automobiles. Unlike traditional autoracks, these new rail cars can accommodate pickups, SUVs and sedans to keep up with changing consumer vehicle tastes.
Railroads have also invested heavily in their privately owned and maintained nearly 140,000-mile network. To better serve new facilities in the southeast United States and Mexico, railroads have raised tunnel clearances on many regional lines to accommodate the newest autorack designs. They have also invested millions of dollars in facilities designed to handle automobiles.
How Trains Make a Car
Steel
An average car contains 2,400 pounds of steel, which is used in car frames, door panels, support beams, exhaust pipes and mufflers.
Rubber
Like plastic, rubber is durable and flexible and is used to create engine mounts, seat belts, wiper blades and hose seals.
Copper
Mostly used in car wiring and electronic parts, copper is in the radio, charging points and starter.
Sand
Used to create the glass for navigation screens, back-up cameras, mirrors and windshields.
Alumnium
This metal is critical for electrical wiring, head lamps, wheels, the transmission, engine parts and air condition condenser and pipes.
Fiberglass
Made from small thin strands of glass, fiberglass is fireproof and is found in front bumpers, doors, the roof, wheels and casings.
Plastic
Making up almost 50% of total parts in one car, the plastics used in cars are petroleum by-products (gas and oil) found in the dashboard, door handles, air vents and interior.