"The challenges are enormous, " said Joseph Seneca, a professor of economics at Rutgers University, who in December published a paper on the rise of empty suburban campuses in New Jersey.

WSJ: Developer Has Vision for Goodyear's Former Headquarters in Akron

Reshma Shetty thinks an empty-looking circle on a plain piece of paper could change the world.

FORBES: Do-It-Yourself Life

Now the trains are going back west empty, but he hopes to fill them with beer, soda, water and paper, all of which already go west-to-east.

FORBES: Join The Cold Train