National Ship Via Rail Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

On May 10, we celebrate National Ship by Rail Day. It highlights annually the advantages of shipping by rail and utilising railroads and continues to promote railroad and short-line railroad shipment, which has been Progressive Rail Incorporated’s focus. If you are a younger reader, you may not realise that trains were once the most efficient method to transport and ship mail and packages prior to the advent of online shopping. Don’t fear, older readers; we’ve got you covered with some fascinating facts and historical timelines so you can take a trip down memory lane.

The background of National Ship Via Rail Day

Prior to FedEx, D.H.L., and U.P.S. delivery, more oversized and bulky items were transported via railroads. On a railway, a goods train, cargo train or goods train is a set of goods cars or goods waggons pulled by one or more locomotives. As part of the logistics chain, these trains convey cargo between the shipper and the intended destination. There are even train cars that are specifically designed to convey bulk materials, intermodal containers, general goods or specialised goods. The majority of tonnage carried by the majority of freight railroads is bulk cargo, which is considered commodity cargo that is transported in large volumes with its original packaging intact.

These goods and goods trains can typically convey shipbuilding and construction materials, household goods such as furniture and appliances, vehicles, liquids such as diesel and petroleum, and food and beverages in bulk. Despite the fact that rail transport is more energy-efficient and environmentally benign than road transport, rail has lost a significant amount of freight business to the alternative mode of transport due to its lack of adaptability. Unlike road transport, which utilises trucks, rail transport ensures that products that would otherwise be delivered via multiple trucks are transported in a single shipment. This saves a substantial amount of money on transportation costs. In light of the environmental benefits, many governments have encouraged the transition of freight from vehicles to trains due to the extremely low external costs of rail freight transport.

Progressive Rail Incorporated established National Ship Via Rail Day on the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in Promontory Point, Utah, in May 2021 to highlight the advantages of shipping by rail utilising railroads and to promote railroad and short-line railroad shipping.

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NATIONAL SHIP VIA RAIL DAY ACTIVITIES

Experience a vintage train journey.

A small number of authentic, vintage railroads are still in operation and cater exclusively to travellers seeking luxury transportation. These trains have been restored to reflect their golden era, and many people who seek an authentic experience travel on them. Consider local options and schedule your next trip via train. You won’t regret it.

Study a book on the development of railroads.

The long history of trains and how they have evolved over time, from the cargo they carry to their interiors, is a fascinating look at the evolution of transportation. You can immerse yourself in and learn something new about something that has been around for centuries by purchasing a book from a local bookstore or by searching for online resources.

Send an item by train to a loved one.

This may be a bit more difficult than the other two suggestions, but some train services will still assist you even if you are not transporting a large quantity of items. Send a care parcel or a new appliance to a loved one via train for the sake of the experience. It will illustrate what life was like in the past, and you can rest assured that your cargo will arrive safely because these trains rarely stop while travelling.

5 INCREDIBLE TRAIN AND RAILWAY FACTS

Lincoln’s remains were transported through 180 cities en route to his Illinois residence.

In 1830, the first American locomotive lost a polite railside race to a horse.

There is a worldwide community of train enthusiasts who are interested in every aspect of railroading.

During the Great Depression, railway systems failed to compete with automobile transportation.

The world’s longest train voyage covered 10,056 miles in 12 days, from Portugal to Vietnam.

NATIONAL SHIP VIA RAIL DAY DATES