For years the rails sang the blues. Now they rock around the clock. Could rail transport soon be the leader of the pack? For an industry with its roots in the 19th century, and that hit its heyday in the mid-20th century, railroads are still showing lots of life. New customers, emerging technologies, and a refreshed physical infrastructure are all helping to inject new energy into an industry
... [Show full abstract] that not so long ago appeared to be rolling into history. "The railroad industry is probably as healthy today as it has been in the last 30 years," says Patrick Hiatte, general director of corporate communications for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF), Fort Worth, Texas. Yet as the nation's railroads ride the express track into the 21st century, they also face a series of fresh challenges that threaten to derail recent advancements. A year-long traffic slump, shipper complaints, and the threat of tighter regulations are among issues dogging rail carriers' future. "The crystal ball is still cloudy," says Deb Butler, executive vice president of planning and chief information officer for Norfolk Southern, Norfolk, Va.