Line-haul Railroads
Official definition
This U.S. industry comprises establishments known as line-haul railroads primarily engaged in operating railroads for the transport of passengers and/or cargo over a long distance within a rail network. These establishments provide for the intercity movement of trains between the terminals and stations on main and branch lines of a line-haul rail network (except for local switching services).
Source: US Census Bureau, 2017 NAICS Definitions. Public domain.
Which code does this activity belong in?
Line-haul railroads operate trains for long-distance intercity movement across main and branch lines within established rail networks, whereas short-line railroads transport cargo over shorter distances on local rail lines that are not part of a broader network. The distinguishing factor is the scope of the rail network and the distance covered; line-haul operations connect multiple terminals and stations across interconnected rail systems, while short-line operations function on isolated local lines serving localized transportation needs.