Western Railroad Discussion > What's the Difference?

I noticed out on another web site that categorizes railroads that there are "Switching\Terminal" Railroads and then there are "Local" Railroads. What's the main difference?

JHerman
Grapevine, Tx

Switching and terminal railroads are usually small in terms of mileage and serve a major terminal or swtich a major shipper. For example, Chicago West Pullman & Southern existed mainly to serve the Wisconsin Steel plant of International Harvester in the South Deering neighborhood of Chicago. A local railroad is usually much longer than a switching/terminal operation and makes its living moving cars from A to B rather than by switching.