Rail is vital in almost every sector of the world’s manufacturing and distribution. Railroads invest billions annually, creating the best network in the world that is essential, functional, and economical.
Railroad businesses and their stocks are important elements of the transportation industry in any part of the world, making additional research worthwhile. Moreover, given their cyclical nature, there are always opportunities to buy or sell these companies in the future.
Currently, a significant portion of the freight and cargo that cannot be moved by trucks is transported by rail, with a small number of corporations in charge of this crucial infrastructure.
And this article will help you know the largest and most profitable railroads in the US as we have partnered with Lorraine Roberte, a financial writeron PaydayBears. It is a financial organization in which you can borrow money instantly to invest in the stock market or aid financial obligations.
Here are the five (5) largest and most profitable railroads in the United States.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF)
The number one largest and most profitable railroad in the US is the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) in Lou Menk Dr, Fort Worth, Texas.
It is considered the first American company on the global list of profitable railroads, and they operate mostly on the west of the Mississippi River.
The BNSF freight line transports vital shipments that run nearly 8,000 locomotives over 32,500 miles of track in 28 states. Their revenue for 2022 was $25.9 billion.
Union Pacific
The number two profitable railroad company is The Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha, Nebraska, also known as simply Union Pacific and officially known as Union Pacific Railroad Company.
It is a freight-hauling railroad that runs 8,300 locomotives over 32,200 miles of tracks through 23 different states in the United States west of Chicago and New Orleans.
Union Pacific began operations in 1862. The first US transcontinental railroad was partly built because of this illustrious firm. Their revenue for 2022 is at least $24.9 billion.
CSX
The number three largest and most profitable railroad in the US right now is CSX, which mainly operates across North America. They operate in several parts of the US and are involved in freight rail, which includes traditional rail operations and intermodal containers and trailers.
The majority of the eastern US, up to the Mississippi River, is covered by its regional divisions: the Northeast, South, Midwest, and Southwest. In addition, Ontario and Quebec are served by CSX’s lines that go into Canada.
They cover 23 states and over 21,000 route miles of rail with their operations. Their revenue in 2022 was $14.9 billion.
Norfolk Southern Railway
Fourth on our list is the Norfolk Southern Railway. It is a Class I freight railroad that runs throughout the Eastern US. The Norfolk, Western Railway, and Southern Railway merged in 1982 to become the corporation with its headquarters in Atlanta.
The firm runs 19,420 route miles in 22 eastern states and the District of Columbia and has permission to run across the Canadian Pacific Railway’s Albany to Montréal route in Canada. The Norfolk Southern Corporation’s principal subsidiary is Norfolk Southern Railway.
And in 2022, they have a revenue of about $12.7 billion.
Canadian National Railway
The Compagnie des chemins de fer nationaux du Canada, also known as the Canadian National Railway Company, is the last largest and most profitable railroad on our list. It is a Class I Canadian freight railroad with its main office in Montreal, Quebec. It services both Canada and the Midwestern and Southern United States.
With a network of around 20,400 route miles connecting the Atlantic coast in Nova Scotia to the Pacific coast in British Columbia, CN is Canada’s largest railroad in revenue and physical size. By acquiring railroads like the Illinois Central in the late 20th century, CN greatly increased its capacity in the United States.
Their revenue last 2022 was about $12.4 billion.
