Industry Description
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing specialized services for railroad transportation including servicing, routine repairing (except factory conversion, overhaul, or rebuilding of rolling stock), and maintaining rail cars; loading and unloading rail cars; and operating independent terminals.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--
Business Examples
Common types of business activities within NAICS 488210 - Support Activities for Rail Transportation are:
- Locomotive and rail car repair (except factory conversion, factory overhaul, factory rebuilding)
- Switching services, railroad
- Maintenance of rights of way and structures, railway
- Railroad terminals, independent operation
- Railway terminals, independent operation
- Railroad switching services
- Shunting trailers in rail terminals
- Grain leveling and trimming in railroad cars
- Loading and unloading services at rail terminals
- Freight car cleaning services
IBISWorld Industry Research Report
Rail Maintenance Services in the US (48821)
Revenue 2025
$8.5bn
Growth 2025
1.05%
Key Trends
As a result of increased commercial activity and federal funding for transportation, the overall demand for rail maintenance services has increased
Increased freight volume has resulted in an increase in the freight transportation services index
An anticipated increase in total trade value is projected to result in increased industry demand
Products and Services
Similar Industries
For some business types, there may be a similar industry to 488210 - Support Activities for Rail Transportation that is a better classification match. Establishments primarily engaged in:
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NAICS Cross Reference
Factory conversion, overhaul, or rebuilding of railroad rolling stock--are classified in Industry 336510, Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing; and
IBISWorld industry research report
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NAICS Cross Reference
Providing railroad car rental--are classified in U.S. Industry 532411, Commercial Air, Rail, and Water Transportation Equipment Rental and Leasing;
IBISWorld industry research report
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NAICS Cross Reference
Providing rail car janitorial services--are classified in Industry 561720, Janitorial Services.
IBISWorld industry research report
NAICS Hierarchy 488210 - Support Activities for Rail Transportation
NAICS Code 488210 - Support Activities for Rail Transportation sits in the 2-digit Support Activities for Rail Transportation sector. NAICS codes can be 2- to 6-digits and the further along the hierarchy, the more detailed and specific the category will be. Learn more about the structure of NAICS codes
2 Digits: 48-49
Sector Title: Transportation and Warehousing
3 Digits 4 Digits 5 Digits 6 Digits
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4811 Scheduled Air Transportation
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48111 Scheduled Air Transportation
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4812 Nonscheduled Air Transportation
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48121 Nonscheduled Air Transportation
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4821 Rail Transportation
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48211 Rail Transportation
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4831 Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation
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48311 Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation
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4832 Inland Water Transportation
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48321 Inland Water Transportation
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4841 General Freight Trucking
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48411 General Freight Trucking, Local
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48412 General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance
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4842 Specialized Freight Trucking
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48421 Used Household and Office Goods Moving
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48422 Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Local
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48423 Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance
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4851 Urban Transit Systems
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4852 Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation
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48521 Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation
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4853 Taxi and Limousine Service
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48531 Taxi Service
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48532 Limousine Service
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4854 School and Employee Bus Transportation
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48541 School and Employee Bus Transportation
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4855 Charter Bus Industry
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48551 Charter Bus Industry
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4859 Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation
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48599 Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation
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4861 Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil
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48611 Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil
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4862 Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas
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48621 Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas
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4869 Other Pipeline Transportation
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48691 Pipeline Transportation of Refined Petroleum Products
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48699 All Other Pipeline Transportation
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4871 Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land
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48711 Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land
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4872 Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water
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48721 Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water
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4879 Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Other
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48799 Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Other
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4881 Support Activities for Air Transportation
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48811 Airport Operations
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48819 Other Support Activities for Air Transportation
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4882 Support Activities for Rail Transportation
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48821 Support Activities for Rail Transportation
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4883 Support Activities for Water Transportation
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48831 Port and Harbor Operations
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48832 Marine Cargo Handling
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48833 Navigational Services to Shipping
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48839 Other Support Activities for Water Transportation
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4884 Support Activities for Road Transportation
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48841 Motor Vehicle Towing
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48849 Other Support Activities for Road Transportation
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4885 Freight Transportation Arrangement
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48851 Freight Transportation Arrangement
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4889 Other Support Activities for Transportation
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48899 Other Support Activities for Transportation
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NAICS Resources
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