Taking the rail idea a step further and looking to further solve the differential equation, Plains All American Pipeline (NYSE:PAA) is converting a former Virginia refinery to offload crude railcars and then shift their cargoes to ships to move crude oil along the coasts of the United States, profiting from price differentials.

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If you come straight over to the rail and save every step of ground, you still have to run 40 feet further from 13 than the 1.

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Institution of Civil Engineers director general Nick Baveystock said the plan "presents an opportunity to bring about a real step-change in rail capacity and help regenerate and boost the economies of our city regions".

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