On the vast expanse of the river itself, a huge freight barge from Germany glides slowly past the city's medieval cathedral, towards the more modern structures of the chemical industries.

BBC: Rhine on path to recovery

The Columbia and Snake River system allows large volumes of freight to be moved with negligible impact on air quality, and replacing this transportation capacity would require use of 120, 000 rail cars or 700, 000 trucks.

CNN: Snake River dam resolution called unfair

Union Pacific was no different but increased coal mining activity in Powder River Basin region situated in parts of Wyoming and Montana could reverse the slide in coal freight volumes for the company.

FORBES: Union Pacific's Coal Freight Business Chugs Ahead After Slowdown