Class III / short line system inventory to determine 286,000 lb (129,844 kg) railcar operational status in Kansas : technical summary.

1645420PDFTech ReportK-TRAN: KSU-16-5C2069InventoryRailroad carsRailroad tracksShort line railroadsClass III railroadsheavy axle loadsUnited StatesKansasKansas. Dept. of Transportation. Bureau of ResearchFitzsimmons, Eric J.Tucker-Kulesza, StaceyShofstall, LisaKansas State University. Transportation CenterKansas. Dept. of Transportation. Bureau of ResearchUS Transportation CollectionThe rail industry\u2019s recent shift towards larger and heavier railcars has influenced Class III/short line railroad operation and track maintenance costs. Class III railroads earn less than $38.1 million in annual revenue and generally operate first and last leg shipping for their customers. In Kansas, Class III railroads operate approximately 40 percent of the roughly 2,800 miles (4,500 km) of rail; however, due to the current Class III track condition, they move lighter railcars at lower speeds than Class I railroads