NAICS 482 - Rail Transportation

Industries in the Rail Transportation subsector provide rail transportation of passengers and/or cargo using railroad rolling stock. The railroads in this subsector primarily either operate on networks, with physical facilities, labor force, and equipment spread over an extensive geographic area, or operate over a short distance on a local rail line.

Scenic and sightseeing rail transportation and street railroads, commuter rail, and rapid transit are not included in this subsector but are included in Subsector 487, Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, and Subsector 485, Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation, respectively. Although these activities use railroad rolling stock, they are different from the activities included in rail transportation. Sightseeing and scenic railroads do not usually involve place-to-place transportation; the passenger's trip typically starts and ends at the same location. Commuter railroads operate in a manner more consistent with local and urban transit and are often part of integrated transit systems.

• Includes industries providing transport of passengers or cargo via railroads using rolling stock.
• Covers both extensive rail networks and short-distance local rail lines.
• Excludes scenic, sightseeing, commuter, and rapid transit rail services.
• Typical contracts support transportation operations, infrastructure maintenance, and equipment leasing.
• Government contracts focus on logistics, infrastructure development, and defense transportation needs.

• Operating freight rail services over national or regional rail networks.
• Providing passenger rail transportation on intercity or regional routes.
• Maintaining and repairing railroad tracks, bridges, and related infrastructure.
• Leasing and managing railroad rolling stock and equipment.
• Coordinating logistics for military and defense rail transport requirements.
• Implementing safety and compliance programs in rail operations.
• Upgrading rail systems including signaling and communications equipment.
• Supporting emergency response transportation via rail channels.

• Freight rail carriers
• Intercity passenger rail operators
• Short-line and regional railroads
• Rail infrastructure maintenance contractors
• Rail equipment leasing companies
• Defense logistics rail service providers