Here is the So called facts.

The number they are using is something called Ton/ Miles. That is the energy used to move one ton 1 mile.

so if you are pulling 13,000 tons and move it 3,000 miles that is, I think 39,000,000 Ton/miles of work. divide that by the number of Gallons of fuel that was burned and you will very easily come up with 400 miles Plus Per ton.

Now nobody ships 1 ton and want's to move it 400 miles.

Most of our Diesel engines use at least 50 Gal/per/hour sometimes more. So we know we can't in any way move 50 Tons 400 miles in 1 hour.

My recent Trip to Las Vegas Went Kinda like this.

Full Tanks at Chicago
2 units @ 2,400 Gal at Kansas City.
2 Units @ 2,400 Gal At Albuquerque

Fuel tanks will take the Train to Los Angeles
So Just for grins we will say the Tanks are empty at LA
that is 14,400 Gallons to go 2,256 Miles

8 Coaches @ (educated guess) 65 tons
2 Loco's at 210 Tons each 420 tons. Total 1,360 tons 2,256 Miles 14,000 galons used

3,068,160 ton/miles
14,000 gallons used

My calculoator say's 219.15428 ton Miles / per gallon

See what I am saying??

so that 400 miles / gallon can be fabricated with actual facts.

Paul