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Show March 2004 Energy Guide 49 Railroads transport coal to distant distribution points Railroads comprise the coal movements. Trucks are used for shorter distance hauls, usually of 50 miles or less, to local power plants and transshipment terminals. The trucks carry more than 80 million tons of coal annually to power plants, and move another 100 million tons or more to railheads, foundation of the Utah's coal distribution system, while trucks and conveyor systems are used to move the fossil fuel for shorter distances. Railroads move more coal than any other commodity, according to the Association of American Railroads. In fact, coal shipments account for 22 percent of total river terminals and coal freight revenue and more than 40 percent of total freight tonnage transported by class one railroads- - companies with at least $256.4 million in operating revenues. Unit trains - large groupings of rail cars assigned to a speroute between cific, non-stoa mine and a power plant- - account for more than half of railroad coal shipments. Because the entire train is dedicated exclusively to moving coal in railcars carrying 100 to 120 tons in each car, high volume shipments are possible, indicates the association. The average unit train comprises as many as seven locomotives and usually 60 to 150 or more cars. The unit train can be loaded with 10,000 to 12,000 tons or preparation facilities. Truck deliveries accountfor around 1 2 percent of total coal shipments in the United States. Trucks generally hold 20 tons to 35 tons per shipment in single unit and combined tractor trailer types of vehicles. The maximum load a truck can carry on highways is regulated by state law. Versatile conveyor systems and aerial tramways are additional important methods of transporting coal. The methods are normally used to move coal from production sites to storage and transportation facilities or to nearby power plants. Tramways usually cover relatively short distances, but conveyors can be several miles long. on-roa- p Railroads comprise the foundation of the long distrance coal distribution system in Castle Valley more of coal within three hours and unloaded in fourto five hours. In energy terms, one r unit train carries enough coal to supply 3,000 house 120-ca- and across the state. Trucks and conveyor systems are used to move the fossil fuel for shorter distances. holds with electricity for a year, points out the railroad association. In recent years, larger capacity but lighter weight aluminum rail cars, improved lo comotive efficiencies, computerization of operations and electronic data interchange have been among the factors improving the speed, effcost of railroad iciency and d |