This topic is borderline OMNI, but since it is theoretically possible for us to jump on freight trains and I want everyone to get proper post credit, I'm placing it here.

I've always wondered where the freight trains I see every day go. My hunch is that their routes are relatively boring.

Secondly, about once every two weeks, I get held up at a particular intersection in SE Portland for ~20 minutes because an enormous train passes by at around 10:10a. Since the road in question is fairly busy, I always wonder why the train company doesn't reschedule it to run at a less inconvenient time, and who I could possibly complain to about its shear existence.

General comments about freight trains also much appreciated. i.e. what exactly are they carrying? aren't trucks more practical? does FedEx use them?