On track: Understanding rail investment

On track: Understanding rail investment
Hunter Harrison. (Image: Getty)
Simon Robertson
Warren Buffett is well known for saying that if he was stranded on a desert island and only allowed one data set, it would be North American Rail Data. It comes out every week.At the core of the US Rail System are what we call Class I railroads. Besides Amtrack, which moves people, six key networks cover the country. These are all listed companies except BNSF, owned by Berkshire Hathaway.Rail is four times more efficient than trucks – it costs one gallon (3.8 litres) of fuel to move one ton 500 miles (805km). Further, there...

More Opinion

NZ's sluggish economy and housing challenges
Opinion

Cameron Bagrie: NZ's sluggish economy and housing challenges

House prices are still 40% higher than they were in 2017.

‘She’ll be right, mate’: SkyCity Adelaide
Opinion

Dileepa Fonseka: ‘She’ll be right, mate’: SkyCity Adelaide

SkyCity Adelaide’s board didn’t meet for nearly 20 years.

All things macro ...
Opinion

Simon Robertson: All things macro ...

Talking about your macro trades at cocktail parties is top shelf.

Simon Robertson 16 Aug 2025
What to do about the entrepreneurship drain
Opinion

Peter Griffin: What to do about the entrepreneurship drain

NZ can’t control Australia’s salaries, but it can control the friction.

Peter Griffin 13 Aug 2025