Shortlines

Shortlines is a term most often used in North American railroading to describe small, locally focused freight railways that operate over relatively short distances and connect with larger networks. These shortline railroads typically serve regional shippers, performing local switching, yard work, and traffic moves between customers and Class I or regional carriers.

Operations and services are centered on flexibility and proximity to customers. Shortlines may own their own locomotives and track or operate under lease arrangements. They handle a variety of freight, including bulk commodities, agricultural products, manufactured goods, and intermodal traffic, and they commonly provide interchange services that funnel traffic to the national rail network.

Ownership and business models vary. Many shortlines are independently owned, while a significant number are owned or operated by larger asset-management companies that specialize in regional rail networks, such as Genesee & Wyoming and Watco. These groups acquire lines from larger carriers and integrate them into broader portfolios, often providing standardized operating practices, maintenance, and labor management.

Regulation and economics play a key role in shortline viability. Shortlines are subject to federal and state railroad safety regulations and rely on strong interchange relationships with major carriers, reliable track maintenance, and steady local demand. The creation and growth of many shortlines followed railroad restructuring in the mid- to late 20th century and the Staggers Rail Act of 1980, which facilitated purchase, lease, or abandonment of lines.

Geographically, the term is most commonly used in the United States and Canada, though similar small-railway operators exist in other regions under different labels. Shortlines collectively form an important feeder network, enabling rural and regional industries to access national markets.