| Ever since the train was invented as a beneficial | | | | distribution system where freight cars are left with |
| mode of transport, people have been using freight | | | | the shippers. For instance, if a freight car is scheduled |
| trains for shipping goods such as food, fuel, large | | | | to pick up a large quantify of bulk material from a |
| cargo, bulk, containers, specialized cars, and more. | | | | processing plant, empty cars will be dropped off and |
| Freight trains are used specifically to transport cargo. | | | | the workers at the plant will load the cars with the |
| There are a number of benefits to using a freight | | | | material. Once loaded, the train will return, reattach |
| train to transport products, especially with their ability | | | | the cars, and continue to transport the material to its |
| to transport large and heavy items. A single powerful | | | | scheduled destination. It can also work the other way |
| train can pull a very long train of freight cars over | | | | where the train drops off loaded bulk cargo and |
| great distances and terrain. They usually contain at | | | | returns to pick up the empty cars after the material |
| least one engine and a string of train cars which are | | | | has been removed. This type of operation can usually |
| joined together. People use trains to transport freight | | | | be found in such areas as the pulp and paper mills |
| all over the world. Freight transport by rail is more | | | | and the coal industry. The process usually takes place |
| economical and energy efficient than by road, | | | | at all hours of the day and night. A local freight train |
| especially over long distances. Freight trains are less | | | | can stop at almost most every small town along its |
| flexible than road transport because they run on a | | | | route. Also, local freights might travel within a single |
| specific track, and much freight transported has been | | | | urban area or between two manufacturing plants. A |
| transferred from rail to road or sea. Costs for | | | | local freight train will transport just about anything |
| shipping by train are usually lower than air freight or | | | | and will stop to pick up or set out cars along the |
| truck freight. Two types of freight trains that used | | | | route. Local freight will travel for short distances such |
| to ship cargo are the Through Freight Train and the | | | | as between dock yards and factories, warehouses, |
| Local Freight Train. | | | | goods depots, etc. |
| If a train travels through one or more terminals | | | | With the increase in trucking, shipping, and flying |
| before it arrives at its final stop, it is referred to as a | | | | transportation industry, many rail freight companies |
| Through Freight Train because it has run through the | | | | have changed their methods of operation in order to |
| terminals without loading or unloading cargo. | | | | compete. Many companies now use a combination of |
| Sometimes the train crew is replaced at one of | | | | transport methods to ship their goods that includes |
| these terminals, but the train itself still continues to its | | | | the use of freight trains. This ensures that products |
| final destination. A "through" freight train will only stop | | | | are shipped and received more quickly and efficiently. |
| at the scheduled final destination and nowhere else | | | | With the growing concern about climate change, |
| along the route. A through freight travels across a | | | | businesses are realizing that transport by train is a |
| subdivision without stopping. Long distance bulk | | | | very energy efficient method of shipping goods. The |
| freight such as coal, steel, and vehicle parts are | | | | train is an old method of travel with innovative ideas |
| usually transported using through freight trains. | | | | for the future of transportation. |
| Local Freight Trains consists of a collection and | | | | |