Grain by rail
Rail lines connected farming regions with grain elevators, mills and export terminals. Covered hoppers later improved the efficiency and weather protection of bulk grain transportation.
Livestock and meatpacking
Historically, livestock moved by rail to major stockyards and packing centers. Refrigerated railcars also helped change food distribution by allowing meat and other perishables to travel longer distances.
Refrigeration changes diets
Refrigerator cars expanded the practical market for produce, dairy products and meat. Consumers in growing cities gained access to foods produced far from where they lived.
Fertilizer and farm inputs
Railroads do not only carry crops away from farms. They also move fertilizer, feed ingredients, machinery-related products and other inputs supporting agricultural production.
Today
Unit trains and high-capacity covered hoppers move large quantities of grain efficiently to processors, domestic markets and export terminals.
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