Pennsylvania-based Reading, Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad had a banner year in 2014 for hauling freight, breaking records for carloads hauled and revenue earned.
The railroad handled 24,365 carloads, a 3.2 percent increase over that handled in 2013 and besting the record set 2011.
At the same time, the railroad’s anthracite coal unit-train business declined 21 percent due to price competition from foreign coal producers RBM&N said in a news release. The falling anthracite coal business was offset by 7 percent increases in domestic coal and merchandise carloads.
The merchandise business, which accounts for nearly 80 percent of total traffic, includes a such commodities as wood pulp, paper, metals, food products, plastics, forest products, chemicals and minerals.
The railroad also developed new transloading facilities in Cressona and Penobscot, Pa., that have generated substantial business growth, said RBMN President Wayne Michel.
“As a result of our local ownership, we are able to invest quickly in new facilities for ourselves and new customers to the railroad,” he said. “These new facilities and new customers enable our company to grow our business.”
Tags: railroad earnings, railroad freight loadings, Reading & Blue Mountain Northern Railroad
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