2021 Archive
Fun 12282021
Track Record’s Top Stories of 2021: #5-#1
A countdown to readers’ favorite article of the year
Fun 12212021
Track Record’s Top Stories of 2021: #10-#6
Take a look back at the most popular Track Record articles of the year
Fun 12142021
Is Your New Year's Eve Celebration Delivered by Rail?
Take this quiz to find out which party essentials ship by train
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How Railroads Ship the Products that Put a Roof Over Your Head
Get a guide to which essential roofing materials ship by rail and learn how railroads ship the raw materials and finished products used in roofing.
Tips 11302021
A Running List of Supply Chain and Logistics Conferences to Watch for in 2022
Take a sneak peek at upcoming events that logistics and supply chain management professionals should have on their radar
Fun 11232021
Which Black Friday Deals and Cyber Monday Steals Ship by Rail?
Take this quiz to find out which retail and online purchases are shipped by trains
Insights 11162021
What Is Causing Supply Chain Issues?
The interdependency of supply chain players can cause shipping delays, but working together can result in solutions for the current supply chain bottlenecks
Insights 11092021
The Four Trends Driving the Roofing Market Boom...and How Manufacturers Are Answering the Call
As the need for roofing materials has risen over the last year, roofing manufacturers are employing new strategies to meet the demand
Insights 11022021
The Rise of Electric Vehicles and the Evolution of OEM Supply Chains
Federal and state laws along with consumer demand are growing the EV market. To meet the occasion, automakers are developing new EV supply chain strategies.
Tips 10262021
How to Ship Oversized Freight
Learn how military equipment, farm equipment, machinery and other high, wide and heavy freight ships by rail across the United States.
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What Is a Gondola Rail Car?
Take an in-depth look at the rail equipment used in the transportation of heavy bulk commodities, including scrap metal, aggregates, lumber, steel and more
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How to Load and Unload Rail Cars
Learn about the loading and unloading processes for autoracks, boxcars, centerbeams, coil cars, covered hoppers, flatcars, gondolas, intermodal equipment, open-top hoppers, tank cars and well cars.
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What Is a Coil Car?
Take an in-depth look at the rail equipment that transports coiled steel
Insights 9282021
Can Transportation Solve the Landfill Problem?
Waste Management and Union Pacific have helped Western Washington communities manage their municipal waste in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible way for decades — and it’s a model other growing communities facing landfill challenges can follow.
Tips 9212021
11 Train Facts that Could Save Your Life
Knowing these truths about trains can help drivers and pedestrians stay safe around railroad tracks
Fun 9142021
Behind the Scenes with Father and Son Rail Photographers
Paul and Zachary Larsen share more than DNA; they share a love of trains, too. See their favorite rail photos, hear the stories behind them, and learn how they got into photographing trains in the first place.
101 9072021
What Is a Boxcar Rail Car?
Take an in-depth look at the rail equipment used in the transportation of palletized goods, forest products, building materials, food products, beverages, consumer products, manufactured goods and more
Fun 8312021
Quiz: Which of These Beverages Ship by Rail?
Take this quiz to find out which refreshments travel by train.
Insights 8242021
Plastics and the Circular Economy: Is Transportation the Missing Piece?
As the plastics industry transitions out of a linear economy and more recycled products enter the supply chain, the transportation mode companies choose can be the difference between increasing greenhouse gas emissions or lowering their carbon footprint.
Tips 8172021
Which Reefer Unit Is the Best for Shipping Perishable and Frozen Goods?
Compare reefer unit options to uncover the best way to ship fresh, refrigerated, and frozen goods like pre-packaged foods, meat, seafood, potatoes, onions, carrots, cheese, french fries, frozen vegetables and other produce and dairy products
101 8102021
What Is an Autorack Rail Car?
Take an in-depth look at the rail equipment that transports cars, trucks, SUVs and more
Insights 8032021
A Historic Hemp Shipment
As the first modern-day hemp shipment traveled by train, it was both a historical and environmental win
101 7272021
What Is a Centerbeam Rail Car?
Take an in-depth look at the rail equipment that transports lumber and other building supplies
Tips 7202021
How to Clean and Inspect Rail Cars
Cleaning and inspection checklists for boxcars, coil cars, covered hoppers, open top hoppers, flat cars, gondolas, refrigerated boxcars and tank cars
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What Is a Covered Hopper Rail Car?
Take an in-depth look at the rail equipment used in the transportation of corn, rice, sugar and other dry bulk commodities
Tips 7062021
How to Keep Intermodal Shipments Safe
Quick security tips for protecting the contents of intermodal containers as they are shipped to their final destinations, whether in the United States or around the world
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What Is Intermodal Equipment?
Take an in-depth look at intermodal equipment, like containers and trailers, which is used to ship consumer goods, food, agricultural products and much more
Insights 6222021
Plastics and Sustainability: How Dow and Braskem Are Working Toward a Greener Future
Plastics producers have meaningful sustainability goals. Here’s how they’re pushing the needle forward – and using transportation to make a difference.
Insights 6152021
The Growing Demand for Asphalt — and What Producers and Suppliers Need to Know to Make the Most of It
How making informed supply chain choices can help asphalt producers and suppliers keep up with demand...and improve their margins
Insights 6082021
The Impact of America’s Failing Infrastructure on Supply Chains
Roadways and bridges in America are aging out of their lifespans, and that means closures for repairs and improvements that can cause serious supply chain disruptions. Here’s what shippers can do about it.
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How Much Freight Ships by Rail In the US?
Take an in-depth look at how rail plays a critical role in America’s transportation network
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Railroad Terms and Definitions Translated: English and Spanish // Términos y definiciones del ferrocarril Traducido: Inglés y español
A bilingual glossary of common railroad terms // Un glosario bilingüe de términos ferroviarios comunes
101 5182021
What Is a Rail Tank Car?
Take an in-depth look at the rail equipment used in the transportation of liquid commodities, like chemicals, molasses, edible tallow, water and diesel fuel
Tips 5042021
How to Choose a Transportation Management System (TMS)
Six tips for a seamless TMS investment
Tips 4272021
Mexico Energy Reform Guide: How to Ship Oil, Gas and LPG to Mexico
Answers to frequently asked questions about how to ship energy products across the border and capitalize on Mexico Energy Reform opportunities
Insights 4202021
Can You Ship Wind Turbines by Train?
Learn how railroads are playing a major role in growing the wind energy market
Tips 4062021
Top Supply Chain and Logistics Conferences in 2021
From networking to learning about new shipping trends to hearing from industry leaders, check out our list of the best conferences and events for logistics professionals this year
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Train Dispatching Terms and Their Definitions
A glossary of train dispatcher terminology
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How Does Train Dispatching Work?
Learn the basics about what dispatchers do and how they keep trains moving safely to their destinations
Fun 3162021
Rail: Your MVP for March Basketball
Learn how trains deliver everything you need for watching college basketball games this season.
Tips 3092021
How to Access the Mexico LPG Market
Rail, truck or pipeline: Which is the best way to ship Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to Mexico?
Fun 3022021
Quiz: Which of These Surprising Things Ship by Rail?
Take this quiz to find out which unexpected items travel by train
Tips 2232021
Top Transportation Tips
From navigating shipping during COVID-19 to improving your supply chain strategy, we’ve gathered our readers’ top 10 transportation tips and tricks
Insights 2162021
The Impact of Pandemic Hobbies on Shipping
The surprising way at-home hobbies have driven growth in non-metallic minerals shipments
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What Is a Refrigerated Boxcar — and How Do They Keep Shipments Cold?
Learn why food shippers rely on state-of-the-art refrigerated rail cars to transport perishable goods
Insights 2022021
The Impact of Black Inventors on the Railroad
Learn how four Black innovators made their mark on railroad history
Insights 1192021
COVID-19’s Impact on E-Commerce and Shipping
Shifting consumer behavior leads to greater demand for efficient supply chain solutions from e-commerce businesses
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Inside Look: How Transloading Works
How West Memphis Transload uses transloading to help shippers lower transportation costs and reach new markets
Insights 1052021
Rail: An Environmentally Responsible Way to Ship
Learn why more businesses are incorporating rail into their shipment strategies to lessen the burden on the environment and meet ESG standards