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 In
1997, there were nine Class I freight railroads (railroads with
operating revenues of over $256.4 million). These railroads accounted
for 71 percent of the industry's 274,399 km (170,508 mi) operated.
There were 35 regional railroads [those with operating revenues
between $40 million and $256.4 million and/or operating at least
560 km (350 mi) of railroad]. The regional railroads operated
34,546 km (21,466 mi). Finally, there were 513 local railroads
operating over 45,300 km (28,149 mi) of railroad. The elements
that are subject to corrosion include metal members, such as rail
and steel spikes; however, corrosion damage to railroad components
are either limited or go unreported. Hence, an accurate estimate
of the corrosion cost could not be determined.
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One area where corrosion has been identified is
in electrified rail systems, such as those used for local transit
authorities. Stray currents from the electrified systems can inflict
significant and costly corrosion on non-railroad related underground
structures such as gas pipelines, waterlines, and underground
storage tanks.
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