Download or read book The Economics of Short-line Railroads in North Dakota written by Denver D. Tolliver and published by . This book was released on 1989 with total page 18 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Three sets of light density lines in North Dakota were analyzed with respect to the potential economies to be gained from short line operation. The three networks consisted of: (1) a single, 81-mile branch line with a density of nine cars per mile; (2) a 667-mile regional network with 20 cars per mile; and (3) a 211-mile network with 35 cars per mile. Each network was analyzed first as a light density subsystem of the Burlington Northern Railroad, and then as an independent short line operation. The results of the study in general suggest that some economies of size and/or density are necessary in order to operate short line networks profitably.