According to the self-reported performance metrics of CN, UP, and BNSF, the average speed for conventional trains over the past 52 weeks was approximately 21 miles per hour (Railroad Performance Metrics, 2015). Additionally, BNSF self-reported that the average time a railcar spent in the Pasco, WA classification yard over the past 52 weeks was 31.2 h. The average time in the Northtown, MN classification yard was 34.7 h (Railroad Performance Metrics, 2015). These two classification yards are located on BNSF’s northern corridor. We use a value of 30 h, representing a lower bound (i.e. a conservative parameter value), for the average dwell time of a conventional train at a classification yard.