(Source: Bloomberg Businessweek, November 4, 2012)
TACOMA, Wash. — As the City of Tacoma grapples with its $63-million recession hangover with layoffs and cutbacks, one branch of city government, its municipal railroad, Tacoma Rail, may be putting hard times behind it.
Tacoma Rail is a rarity, a city-owned railroad. With 204 miles of track, Tacoma Rail is the largest municipally-owned and operated freight railroad in the country. Tacoma Rail is part of Tacoma’s Public Utilities operation that includes Tacoma Power and Tacoma Water. Tacoma Rail serves industrial customers on the Tacoma Tideflats, in the Frederickson Industrial Development in south Pierce County and in the Nalley Valley in South Tacoma. It also provides switching service for the ports of Olympia and Tacoma and their terminals.
Full story: Bloomberg Businessweek