Susan, I think you are right - it is a play on energy - in 2 ways. Rails carry coal, plus they use a lot less fuel than the comparible number of trucks to carry other stuff. If the price of diesel goes up, rails gain a comparative advantage over truckers.

As to manufacturing, which has been skrinking in North America for a long time, the rails don't really care. Manufactured products have to be moved to market wherever they're made.