Railroad literature

In 2011, Tom published the first edition of A Railroad Manifesto, a collection of 50 condensed essays that address railroad economics, operations, commercial activity, organizational structure, and regulations.  In 2016, a second edition was published with cosmetic changes only.  

​About 7 percent of the Gross Domestic Product of the United States represents spending on the movement of freight, but the railroads' share of those expenditures has been going down for a century.  The question is why.  Should we rethink the conventional wisdom concerning railroads?  A Railroad Manifesto makes the case that the root cause of railroads' trouble in competing with trucking is not an economic inferiority, but rather a self-inflicted wound.  You can order a copy of A Railroad Manifesto by mailing a check for $25.50 along with your US shipping address to the attention of Book Department at Rail Cents Enterprises, P. O. Box 235, Wallingford, PA  19086.    

In 2001, Tom published an article in The Transportation Journal that refutes the popular belief that trucks have a natural advantage for short-haul freight movements in general and for urban freight movements in particular.  It is still valid today.  If you would like a free PDF of Urban Freight Economics: A New Rail Paradigm For Large Lots by return e-mail, just request it from Tom.Erickson@railcents.com.  Or if you prefer, request a free printed copy by providing your mailing address to Tom.Erickson@railcents.com or to Attn: Book Department, Rail Cents Enterprises, P. O. Box 235, Wallingford, PA  19086.