Railroads have played an important part in wars throughout modern history. Today, the contributions rail can make to America's national defense include U.S. commercial rail help with mobilization of military units stationed in the United States. But their contribution would end at the ports of embarkation, because these commercial assets are not deployable, nor could they be spared at home. While this zone of the interior capability has strategic significance for the United States, rail has also great potential within the theater of operations, and that, we have left largely untapped. Unless rail units are added to the U.S. Army's force structure, this mode of transportation may remain a minor player in future military operations overseas. Transportation capabilities are of fundamental concern to theater commanders. General George S. Patton, Jr., pointed out that road and rail networks are of paramount importance in campaign planning. The ability to maneuver is basic to any army, and the lateral shifting of forces on the battlefield in a timely fashion (which rail can do so well) is often critical to the success of a campaign. Wise decisions must be made now, taking a long-term and systemic approach to permit the maximum use of all available sources of transport, to include rail. A first step toward that end is to determine how rail has been used in the past to apply operational art to campaign plans. This paper will examine railroad contributions to past wars in the areas of operational sustainment, maneuver, containment and deception. In addition, railroads are so valuable that, at times, they have assumed the characteristics of key terrain -- the control of track and roadbeds have themselves become the object of campaigns and tactical operations. This, too, needs to be explored. The objective is to review these past contributions, in light of present doctrine and current logistical requirements, to shed light on the applicability of rail to future wars. Railroads have played a part in campaigns, and as history has shown, their role has sometimes been the decisive one. Rail's potential contributions today are at least as great. Our military cannot afford to ignore these historic lessons. We should take whatever action is necessary now to ensure that sufficient rail capability is available and deployable when it is needed. And it surely will be needed.

ADA 215793 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)