Lower railroad energy consumption reflects improved efficiency, reduced tonnage

U.S. class I railroads consumed 3.6 billion gallons of diesel fuel in 2012, moved nearly 1.8 billion tons of goods valued by gross revenue at $68 billion, and traveled over 1.7 trillion revenue ton-miles. On a daily basis, this amounted to Class I railroads consuming 10 million gallons of diesel fuel while transporting 4.8 million tons of goods valued at $186 million over 4.7 billion ton-miles. Class I railroads include the largest line-haul freight railroads, measured by operating value, and account for about 90% of all railroad freight revenue.