Lack of rail capacity hard on some businesses

Oklahoma City (AP) _ Increasing demand from a rebounding economy is using up much of the capacity of the rail system, and some Oklahoma businesses are feeling the pinch. <br/><br/>Mark Hodges, executive

Sunday, October 10th 2004, 3:42 pm

By: News On 6

Oklahoma City (AP) _ Increasing demand from a rebounding economy is using up much of the capacity of the rail system, and some Oklahoma businesses are feeling the pinch.

Mark Hodges, executive director of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, said some grain elevator managers were hit with a 100-dollar-surcharge per railcar in April, then another 100-dollar-per-car surcharge in June.

Mike Cassidy, manager at Cassidy Grain Company in Frederick, said he doesn't expect the rail capacity problems to ease next season.

Higher shipping costs could ultimately result in higher prices for consumers.