Railway Metrics & Dynamics Valuation Multiples

Omaha, Nebraska-based Union Pacific is the largest public railroad in North America. Operating on more than 30,000 miles of track in the western two-thirds of the US, Union Pacific generated $24 billion of revenue in 2024 by hauling coal, industrial products, intermodal containers, agricultural goods, chemicals, fertilizers, and automotive goods. Union Pacific owns about one-fourth of Mexican railroad Ferromex and historically derives roughly 10% of its revenue hauling freight to and from Mexico.

Operating in the Eastern United States, Class I railroad CSX generated revenue near $14.5 billion in 2024. On its more than 21,000 miles of track, CSX hauls shipments of coal (16% of consolidated revenue), chemicals (17%), intermodal containers (16%), automotive cargo (7%), and a diverse mix of other bulk and industrial merchandise.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City is a Class I railroad operating on tracks that span most of Canada and into parts of the Midwestern and Northeastern United States. Following the April 2023 Kansas City Southern merger, CPKC operates new single-linehaul services from Canada and the Upper Midwest down through Texas, the Gulf of Mexico, and into Mexico. It also hauls cross-border and intra-Mexico freight via operating concessions on more than 3,000 miles of rail in Mexico. CPKC hauls shipments of grain, intermodal containers, energy products (like crude and frac sand), chemicals, plastics, coal, fertilizer and potash, automotive products, and a diverse mix of other merchandise.

Class I railroad Norfolk Southern operates in the Eastern United States. On more than 20,000 miles of track, the rail hauls shipments of coal, intermodal traffic, and a diverse mix of automotive, agricultural, metal, chemical, and forest products.

Cummins is a leading manufacturer of diesel and other engines used in heavy- and medium-duty commercial trucks, off-highway equipment, and locomotives, in addition to prime power and standby generators. The company also sells powertrain components, which include filtration products, transmissions, turbochargers, aftertreatment systems, and fuel systems. Sales are approximately 60% US and Canada and 40% rest of the world. Much of Cummins’ foreign sales (China, India, and so forth) are through joint ventures. The company operates 650 distributors and over 19,000 dealer locations across 190 countries. Cummins’ business model is unique as it competes with many of its heavy-duty truck manufacturer customers, which also make their own engines.

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp provides value-added, technology-based products and services for the freight rail and passenger transit industries and the mining, marine, and industrial markets. It provides its products and services through two main business segments: Freight and Transit. The company generates maximum revenue from the Freight segment, which manufactures new and modernized locomotives, provides aftermarket parts and services to existing locomotives, provides components to new and existing freight cars; builds new commuter locomotives; supplies rail control and infrastructure products, including electronics, positive train control equipment, signal design, and engineering services. Geographically, it generates a majority of its revenue from the United States.

Beijing-Shanghai High Speed Railway Co Ltd is a provider of rail passenger transportation. The company is engaged in the investment, construction, and operation of the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway and its stations.

East Japan Railway Company, or JR East, is the largest railway operator in Japan. It was originally established when the government-owned nationwide railway operator underwent a six-way territorial split in 1987, though it wasn't fully privatized until 2002. It runs both long distance bullet trains, known as Shinkansen, and shorter municipal train routes around and from Tokyo. Its 7,400 kilometers of rail track covers half of Japan's population and a third of the country's land area. Two thirds of revenue is from transportation, with most of the rest from retail operations and real estate investments.

CRRC Corp Ltd is engaged in research and development, design, manufacturing, refurbishment, sales, leasing and technical services of railway locomotives, MUs, urban rail transit vehicles, engineering machinery, various electromechanical equipment, electronic equipment and components, as well as electronic devices and environmental protection equipment; information consultation; industry investment and management; asset management; import and export business. Its business operations are spread across Mainland China which derives the highest revenue, and a few other countries.

MTR constructs and operates Hong Kong's rail network, giving it a monopoly position. In addition to rail operation, the company makes recurring income from commercial business within the stations. This includes rental of retail kiosks and advertisement within the station and investment properties in shopping malls above stations. Residential real estate development forms part of MTR's return for the rail operation. In a normalized environment, average operating profit is approximately 20% in rail operation, 60% in station commercial and property leasing business, and 20% in property development. The Hong Kong government owns 75% of MTR.

Central Japan Railway Company, or JR Central, is the main railway operator in Nagoya and the Chubu region in central Japan. It was originally established when the government-owned nationwide railway operator underwent a six-way territorial split in 1987. Its main asset is the Tokaido Shinkansen, which spans Japan's most wealthy and populous area and links Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Osaka. It contributes three-fourths of revenue, with most of the balance from merchandise, conventional train lines, and real estate.

Knorr-Bremse AG is engaged in the development, production, marketing, and servicing of Automotive parts. It operates its business activities in two divisions: Rail Vehicle Systems and Commercial Vehicle Systems. Its product portfolio comprises Braking, entrance, and HVAC systems; power electric and control technology; digital solutions; couplers; signal systems; pneumatic braking systems; energy supply and distribution systems; wiper and wash systems; and others. Majority of revenue is from Rail Vehicle System. Its geographical segments are Europe/Africa, North America, South America, and Asia-Pacific.

Daqin Railway Co Ltd is a transportation, trucking, and railroad company that provides transportation services in China. It is engaged in the transportation of goods, mainly thermal coal, and is responsible for coal shipments from regions including Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, and Shaanxi. The company also transports other bulk cargo such as coke, steel, ore, containers, and general bulk goods. Its passenger operations include the operation of multiple train routes with Taiyuan, Datong, and other locations as departure and arrival points. Additional activities include locomotive traction, use of freight cars and railway lines, and freight car maintenance.

Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co Ltd is in the R&D, design, manufacturing, and sales of rail transit equipment products and the provision of related services, and has an industrial structure of components, systems, and complete machines. Its products mainly include rail transit electrical equipment, railway engineering machinery, communication signal systems, and others. Meanwhile, the Company actively expands to industries other than rail transit and conducts business in the fields of semiconductors, automobiles, new energy, marine, and industrial operations. The Company operates in the domestic market and overseas markets.

Indian Railway Finance Corp Ltd is engaged in the business of borrowing funds from the financial markets to finance the acquisition/creation of assets, which are then leased out to the Indian Railways or any entity under the Ministry of Railways. Its only operating segment is Leasing and Finance. The company generates maximum revenue from Lease Income.

West Japan Railway, or JR West, is the main railway operator in Western Japan, headquartered in Osaka. It was originally established when the government-owned nationwide railway operator underwent a six-way territorial split in 1987. Its main assets are the Sanyo Shinkansen, which stretches from Osaka to Fukuoka, and the urban rail network in the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area. Its nearly 5,000 kilometers of rail track covers a third of Japan’s population and a fifth of its land area. Rail operations contribute more than half of revenue, with most of the balance from retail operations, real estate investments, travel agencies, and hotels.

Alstom develops and markets equipment, systems, and services for the railway transport sector, including rolling stock, maintenance and modernization services, signaling, and infrastructure, which are offered separately, bundled, or as fully integrated solutions. The company is one of the key international players in the industry with a strong position in European markets.

Hyundai Rotem Co is a Korea-based company that manufactures and sells railway vehicles, defense systems, and plants and machinery in South Korea and internationally. The company operates through three segments. The Defense sector supplies key ground equipment such as K2 tanks and wheeled armored vehicles. The Plant sector provides automobile production facilities and eco-friendly steelmaking equipment, and is expanding into hydrogen infrastructure and smart logistics systems, including port AGVs and automated warehouses. The Railway sector supplies various domestic and overseas trains and develops core components such as traction motors, propulsion systems, auxiliary power units, and train control systems.

Rumo SA is a service provider in the logistics sector (rail and multimodal transport), mainly for the export of commodities, offering an integrated solution for transportation, handling, storage, and shipping. Its operating segment includes North Operations; South Operations, and Container Operations. The company generates maximum revenue from the North Operations segment. The company's revenue consists of rail freight services, road freight, transport containers, storage and transshipment.

Tokyu Corp is a Japan-based industry conglomerate mainly engaged in the transportation, real estate, leisure services, and hotel and resort businesses. The segments in which the group operates include Transportation, Real estate, Life service, and Hotel & Resort Business. Through its subsidiaries, it offers leisure-related services such as travel agents, theaters, golf, and car rental agents. It derives the majority of revenue from the Life service segment, which is engaged in Department store business, chain store business, shopping center business, Cable TV business, advertising business, and video business.

Tokyo Metro Co Ltd is engaged in the transportation, real estate, distribution, and advertising businesses. The Transportation segment operates and manages a subway network of nine lines mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The Real Estate segment develops and rents office buildings and hotels, such as Shibuya Mark City, along railway lines. The Distribution and Advertising segment operates commercial facilities like Echika at subway stations and handles advertising within stations and trains, as well as information and communication services. It generates the majority of its revenue from the Transportation segment.

Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp is principally engaged in the operation of the high-speed railway system in Taiwan. It generates revenue in the form of railroad transportation revenue.

Aurizon operates rail haulage of coal, iron ore, and freight, and owns a regulated rail network in Queensland. Coal haulage from mine to port contributes a third of operating income. The noncoal bulk segment contributes less than 15% of earnings and undertakes the rail haulage of agricultural, mining, and industrial products. The rail network, composed of 2,670 kilometers of coal rail network under a 99-year lease from the Queensland government, contributes half of earnings.

Keisei Electric Railway Co Ltd is a Japanese company that operates railways in Japan. The company’s three segments are transportation, distribution, and real estate management. The transportation segment offers passenger transportation services by rail, bus, and taxi, and it contributes the majority of revenue. The distribution segment is engaged in operating department stores, shopping centers, and other retail stores. The company derives revenue from real estate activities such as leasing and selling its properties. It also generates additional revenue from activities ranging from real estate construction, operation of restaurants, hotels, and leisure sites to car maintenance services.

Odakyu Electric Railway Co Ltd is a Japanese company mainly engaged in transportation services. The company has three reportable segments, namely Life service industry; Real estate industry; and Transportation. It generates the majority of its revenue from the Transportation segment, which includes the Railway business, bus business, taxi business, route business, cableway business, etc.

Stadler Rail AG is a Switzerland based producer of rolling stock and related systems. The company operates in three reportable segments that are Rolling Stock segment which include the manufacturing of various types of rail vehicles. The Service & Components segment offers full service, modernization and revision, spare parts service, and vehicle repairs, including the maintenance and assessment of defects, and Signalling segment develops and distributes various signalling solutions for vehicles and infrastructures. Geographically the company operates in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, America, CIS and Rest of the world.

Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group Co Ltd manufactures and distributes freight cars, gondola cars, tank cars, flatcars, boxcars, hopper cars, brake beams, bogies, and axles. The other business involves the research and development, sales, and manufacturing of railway trucks and parts, machinery equipment, and pressure vessels. The companies export region covers Asia, Africa, South America, and North America and other countries and regions.

Tobu Railway Co Ltd is a transportation and industrial company in Japan. The company organises itself into five segments: transportation, leisure, real estate, retail distribution, and others. Transportation, which contributes a portion of revenue, operates passenger transportation services through rail, bus, and taxi, and freight and delivery services. Retail distribution operates department stores and a chain of supermarkets. The leisure segment operates hotels, theme parks, golf courses, and related leisure businesses. The real estate segment leases real estate and operates bicycle and parking lot businesses. The Other business is engaged in the construction industry, electrical work, etc.

Kyushu Railway, or JR Kyushu, is one of seven Japanese railway companies formed when the government privatized Japan Rail in 1987. The rail company services the island of Kyushu, which is just off the South of Japan mainland. Kyushu is colloquially referred to as the 10:10:10 region—covering about 10% of Japan’s landmass, housing about 10% of Japan’s population and producing about 10% of Japan’s gross domestic product. JR Kyushu operates three businesses: rail transportation; real estate and hotels; and construction, retail, restaurants, and business services.

Guangshen Railway Co Ltd is one of the key railway operators in southern China's relatively prosperous Guangdong province. It provides both passenger and freight transportation through its wholly owned Guangzhou Shenzhen intercity express rail line and Guangzhou Pingshi rail line, as well as a few long-distance passenger lines. Its operating segment includes The Railway Transportation Business and others. The majority of revenue is generated from the railway transportation business segment. The Railway Transportation includes two segments: Passengers and Freights. Majority of revenue is from Passenger Segment.

Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles SA is a Spain-based company that offers comprehensive railway solutions. The company's train-related products comprise high-speed rolling stock, wheelsets, traction and communication systems, signaling systems, and related services including vehicle maintenance, vehicle upgrading and refurbishment, and aftersales technical supports. In addition to supplying train-related products, the company also helps customers conduct viability studies, civil work, electrification projects, and system operation. The company operates under concession or turnkey models. Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles has a global presence, with Europe and Brazil being the two largest markets.

Bangkok Expressway and Metro PCL and its subsidiaries are engaged in the construction and management of expressways and the operation of metro lines in Thailand. In conjunction with the operation of the Metro Blue Line, the company also handles the advertising and telecommunications maintenance in the trains and stations. Its segments include the Expressway business segment; Rail business segment; Commercial development business segment; and Other segments. The maximum revenue is derived from the Expressway business segment.

MRS Logistica SA is a publicly-held corporation engaged in the transportation services. The company operates a public railway transportation concession in the Southeast network, located in the States of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Minas Gerais. It interconnects the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and Sao Paulo, spanning through the region that concentrates approximately 50% of Brazil's gross domestic product. Through MRS' railways, it also provides transport to reach the ports of Itaguai and Santos and Latin America. The company generates its entire revenue from providing cargo transport services in the Southeast Brazil.

ComfortDelGro Corp Ltd is a multi-modal transport operator offering a comprehensive suite of transportation solutions. The group's extensive network spans public transport, including buses and rail, point-to-point transport with taxis and private-hire cars as well as business-to-business mobility solutions. Along with its subsidiaries, the company operates in the following segments: Public transport, Taxi/PHV, Other private transport, Inspection and testing services, and Other segments. Maximum revenue is derived from the Public Transport segment, which includes income generated through bus and rail services for commuters using public transport systems, as well as contracted revenue for operating scheduled services. Geographically, a majority of its revenue is generated from Singapore.

Trinity Industries Inc sells and leases railroad products and railcar maintenance services in North America. The company operates under the name TrinityRail in two main segments: railcar leasing and management services, which owns railcars and provides fleet management and administration services; rail products, which builds, sells, and modifies freight and tank railcars and their components; and all other, which sells highway products such as guardrail and other highway barriers. Customers include railroads, leasing companies, and shipping companies in agriculture, construction, consumer products, energy, and chemicals.

Jungfraubahn Holding AG is a tourism company and the mountain railway company in Switzerland. It engaged in the operation of excursion railways and winter sports facilities. It also operates a railway service from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald. The company's segment includes Jungfraujoch-Top of Europe, Winter Sports and Experience Mountains, It generates maximum revenue from the Jungfraujoch-Top of Europe segment.

BEML is a state-controlled maker of earthmoving and mining equipment, defence vehicles and rail and metro rolling stock. Customers include the Indian Army, Indian Railways, metro operators and coal and mining companies. Headquartered in Bengaluru.

Xi'an Triangle Defense Co Ltd is a China based company engaged in the manufacturing of Railway, Marine, Aerospace and other transportation equipment's.

FirstGroup PLC is a passenger transportation company domiciled in the United Kingdom. The company organizes itself into segments: Greyhound, First Bus, and First Rail. The Greyhound segment operates intercity coaches in the United States and Canada. First Bus operates buses in the United Kingdom. First Rail operates passenger trains in the United Kingdom. The company derives the majority of its revenue from the United Kingdom.

Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co Ltd organises itself into six segments: transportation, real estate, distribution, logistics, leisure, and other. The transportation segment transports passengers by rail, bus, and taxi. The real estate business develops, sells, and leases commercial and residential buildings. The distribution segment operates supermarkets. The logistics segment operates an international air-cargo-handling business. The leisure segment operates hotels and other leisure businesses. The company derives the majority of its revenue domestically.

Greenbrier Companies Inc supplies equipment and services to international freight transportation markets, designing and marketing freight railcars in North America, Europe, and Brazil through subsidiaries and joint ventures. It provides railcar wheel services, parts, maintenance, and conversion services in North America. The company owns a lease fleet sourced mainly from its manufacturing operations and offers railcar management, regulatory compliance, and leasing services to railroads and owners. It operates two segments: Manufacturing and Leasing & Fleet Management, with the majority of revenue from Manufacturing. The company operates in the U.S. and internationally, with the majority of revenue from the U.S. market.

Newag SA is a Poland-based company engaged in heavy machinery sector. The Company operations are divided into four segments: the Electric and Diesel Multiple Units segment produces electric MUs for electrified railway lines of passenger transportation.

Vossloh AG is a rail infrastructure manufacturer domiciled in Germany. The company organizes itself into three segments: Customized Modules, Core Components, and Life Cycle Solutions (rail solutions). The Core Components segment, which generates the majority of the revenue, provides rail fastening systems and manufactures concrete railway ties. The Customized Modules segment, manufactures, installs, and maintains switch systems and monitoring equipment for rail networks, and the Life Cycle Solutions segment maintains, tracks, switches, and recycles old rails. The company also provides digital-based services for the entire lifecycle of rails and switches. It derives a majority of its revenue in Europe, and the rest from its operations in Asia and the Americas.

Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd manufactures and sells Freight Wagons, Passenger Coaches, Metro Trains, Train Electricals, Steel Castings, Specialised Equipment and Bridges, Ships and others. The segments of the group are Freight Rail Systems and Passenger Rail Systems. The majority of the company's revenue is generated from its Freight Rail Systems segment which consists of the manufacturing of wagons, loco shells, bogies, couplers, its components, designing and construction of warships, passenger vessels, tug, and specialized equipment for Defence, Bridge Girders, etc. Geographically, the company derives its key revenue from India and it also caters to International markets.

Jupiter Wagons makes railway freight wagons, passenger coaches, brake systems, wheel sets, and related components. Customers are Indian Railways, private wagon owners and logistics firms. Headquartered in Kolkata.

Texmaco Rail & Engineering Ltd is engaged in the manufacturing, selling, and providing services for rail and rail-related products. It manufactures and supplies different types of rail wagons, and various components such as brake levers, snow plows, loco components, draw bars, bogie frames, etc. The company also provides services related to railway infrastructure and operates a steel foundry that produces various steel castings and products for the railway industry. Its business segments are: Freight Car Division (FCD), Infra-Rail and Green Energy, and Infra-Electrical. Maximum revenue is derived from its Freight Car Division, which manufactures and supplies railway freight cars, loco components, loco shells, and steel castings. Geographically, it derives revenue predominantly from India.

BVZ Holding AG is Switzerland based firm with its subsidiaries operates a railroad. The Company runs a mountain railway that provides the only access to Zermatt, where road traffic is banned. It is also involved in real estate business.

Talgo SA is a Spain-based company engaged in the design and manufacture of rolling stock. It operates in three business segments: Rolling stock, which accounts for the majority of revenue; Auxiliary machines & Others; and General. The Rolling stock segment is responsible for train production, as well as for the maintenance of trains that use the company's technology. The Auxiliary Machines & Others segment provides the manufacture and technical service of lathes, as well as the sale of related spare parts. The company's product range comprises high-speed rolling stock, intercity trains, and locomotives, among others. Talgo's geographical segments are Spain, the Rest of Europe, America, the Middle East & North Africa, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and APAC.