The freight railway industry is enjoying its biggest building boom in 100 years, a turnaround as abrupt as it is ambitious. It is largely fueled by growing global trade and rising fuel costs for 18-wheelers. In 2002, the major railroads laid off 4700 workers; in 2006, they hired more than 5000. Profit has doubled industry-wide since 2003, and stock prices have soared. The value of the largest railroad, the Union Pacific, has tripled since 2001. This year alone, the railroads will spend $10b to add track, build switchyards and terminals, and open tunnels to handle the coming flood of traffic. Freight rail tonnage will rise 90% by 2035.

a resurgence. it should be straightforward to fully automate trains, overcoming the industry workforce problems

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