I used broker physical fuels...bad or new traders would treat rail cars or vessels of diesel like trading contracts/paper.

Quote from @John Canwell: When John D Rockefeller bought up oil railcars and then bought out his competitors and raised prices, the government acted.  

Simultaneously the people that freight lumber (rail cars and trucking) had to continue maintaining their fleets and without as much work available many of them downsized to stay nimble. 

Good example, I had a slight pricing and supply chain issue on some needed materials, I could have thrown $ at the problem but instead I made some calls and I bought a partial rail car of the material, lined up my own motor carrier, was able to cut 2 middle-men out of logistical chain, 1 1/2hr drive to rail yard to personally supervise and we got out materials, faster than anyone could deliver, for 30% discounting AFTER all associated costs.

Storing rail cars?!  

South was spraying more foam than the rest of the installers combined and he shipped it in on rail cars.

Rail cars, port cranes, etc.There is a lot of ways to lose money in real estate, but knowledgeable investors will make money in RE.

If you indeed have the rail car layout (I'm personally unfamiliar with) and you can't get as much money for them, then it's a perfect opportunity to maximize the layouts and bedroom counts.  

According to the state of Arizona:Businesses that perform the following activities are subject to TPT and must be licensed. retail salesrestaurants/barshotel/motel (transient lodging)commercial leaseamusementspersonal property rentalscontractingseverance (metal mining)transportingnonmetal miningjob printingpublishingutilitiestelecommunicationsprivate (rail) car

Direct buying, logistics would be interesting, sounds like about 8 rail cars a day.