Every December, freight rail, warehouses and rail-connected distribution centers quietly become Santa’s real workshop - juggling surging volumes, surprise trainloads of tinsel and the occasional misrouted pallet of cheese - to make sure holiday magic actually shows up under the tree (and on time).

Mexico is now the U.S.’s top trading partner. Discover how nearshoring, USMCA rules, and culture are reshaping supply chain strategy and growth.

Said to me by a former industry peer in an executive brainstorming session. That statement resonated as one of the industry's biggest challenges over the last 20 years. The Benefits of Rail are undeniable. Connecting customers, developers and communities to freight rail can be a real challenge but is worth the effort. Keep reading for four keys to implement rail into your network.