Stories: People

At the same time, the US already has an established network in place. Unlike many countries where rail infrastructure prioritises passenger transport, most US rail lines are designed for freight. Rail companies expanded the network during westward expansion and the rise of industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries. They engineered tracks, rail yards, and terminals to carry bulk goods such as coal and grain across the country.

Today, that same infrastructure moves large volumes of industrial products efficiently over long distances.

Beyond that, rail is more fuel-efficient and produces fewer emissions per tonne moved.

Moving products by rail reduces the number of trucks on highways, which eases traffic congestion and lowers the risk of road accidents. With strict safety standards and dedicated, predicable routes, rail is a dependable solution for transport in large countries like the United States. Its established freight corridors and structured rail schedules also enable greater planning visibility.

Taken together, these strengths allow us to bring customers a stable, large-scale supply supported by one of the most extensive freight rail networks in the world.

Rail transport works at a different scale from road freight. A single railcar can move far larger volumes than a truck, but it also requires more preparation and coordination before the journey begins.

Good planning is important. Rail schedules are fixed, and capacity needs to be booked well in advance, often weeks ahead. Before a railcar can move, several elements must be prepared, including product readiness, loading windows, rail availability, and the customer’s delivery timeline.

Joseph Ravinath, US Sustainability Lead, explains: “Once a railcar is loaded and in motion, there is little flexibility. Changes are limited, and delays are difficult to catch up on. Good upfront planning helps avoid disruptions, reduces waiting time, and ensures deliveries arrive as scheduled.”

This map shows the US freight railroad network, with each colour denoting a different railroad company. What appears to be one seamless network is in reality a patchwork of independently run systems.

Joseph explains it clearly: “Think of it like connecting flights. One railroad passes the railcar to the next, just like how your luggage transfers between planes during a layover.”

Because of this structure, a single railcar often changes hands several times before reaching its destination. As it crosses states, it moves from one company´s tracks to another´s, with each transfer requiring precise coordination and confirmation.

In a network built on many independent operators, coordination becomes a competitive advantage. Joseph explains, “We monitor railcar movements daily and plan loading by weeks. We also stay in close contact with each railroad along the route. This coordination helps us manage handovers between operators and keep our load moving.”

GAR ensures that, even across thousands of miles and multiple handovers, we fulfil a simple yet critical assurance to our customers: their orders will arrive when promised. Joseph adds, “Rail is already one of the most fuel-efficient transport options.