Short Line Railroads
Official definition
This U.S. industry comprises establishments known as short-line railroads primarily engaged in operating railroads for the transport of cargo over a short distance on local rail lines not part of a rail network.
Source: US Census Bureau, 2017 NAICS Definitions. Public domain.
Which code does this activity belong in?
Short-line railroads operate local rail lines to transport cargo over short distances, whereas line-haul railroads operate within established rail networks to move passengers and cargo over long distances between intercity terminals and stations. The key distinction is geographic scope: short-line operations serve local routes outside broader rail networks, while line-haul operations connect major terminals and stations within integrated rail networks over longer distances.