Rail transport has future in 21st century

Staff photo Bulk items, like these combines headed for Russia, are best moved by train, which insures that rail transport will survive into the 21st Century.

High-tech transport may develop in the 21st Century, but the tried-and-true train car will remain vital to shipping and, therefore, to economic health, local experts say.

Rail transport -- both passenger and freight -- helped shape the development of the Quad-Cities, and likely will continue to do so in the upcoming century, said Denise Bulat, a transportation planner with the Bi-State Regional Commission.

``I definitely think freight transport by rail continues to be viable and very important,'' Ms. Bulat said. ``There's been a recognition that we can't continue to always just widen roads. We need to ensure other means of transport.''

Rail transport fell out of favor 10 to 15 years ago when trucking took over as the primary means of moving large goods, said Rick Baker, president of the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce.

During the last five years, though, the popularity of rail service has resurged, due largely to a national labor shortage that left trucking companies short on drivers, Mr. Baker said.

The recent announcement of a major rail hub to be built in Silvis is a physical indication of the current return to the rails, Mr. Baker said, and a good barometer of the industry's future.

``The RailTech project in Silvis is a good indication of rail's popularity,'' Mr. Baker said. ``You can move so much more on one train with less people than all these trucks, which all need drivers.''

At the same time business leaders began turning back to rail freight transport, government officials began worrying verbally about the deterioration of the nation's roads and highways as truck traffic increased, Ms. Bulat said.

Recognizing that land is finite and construction budgets are, too, many officials devoted more attention -- and funding -- to using rail to lessen traffic and its wear and tear on roadways.

``Keeping viable rail transport for freight is very important to keep congestion at a level we all can live with and keep deterioration to reasonable amounts,'' Ms. Bulat said.

Hauling freight by rail for most of a shipment's journey is very effective, Ms. Bulat said. Shipments then can be transferred to trucks for shorter hauls from the railroad to suppliers or buyers, she said.

Rail transport is especially important when shipping large, bulky products like Deere or CNH combines, Mr. Baker said, which is one reason its future viability in the Quad-Cities is nearly certain.

The railroad companies themselves also are doing what they can to ensure their industry remains solvent, Ms. Bulat said, noting Iowa City-based Iowa Interstate Railroad is working to improve its lines.

``They recognize they need the whole mix to remain viable, and they want to remain viable,'' Ms. Bulat said. ``They're all working to continue to be good businesses.''