Champaign, Illinois is a vibrant city located in the heart of the Midwest. Known for its rich history and diverse culture, Champaign has become a hub for freight transportation in the region. The city is home to several major transportation companies, including a large rail yard and a bustling airport, making it an ideal location for businesses involved in the movement of goods and materials.

One of the key factors that has contributed to Champaign's success in the freight transportation industry is its strategic location. Situated at the intersection of major highways and rail lines, the city serves as a crucial link between the East Coast and the Midwest. This makes it a prime location for distribution centers and logistics companies, as they can easily access markets across the country.

In addition to its transportation infrastructure, Champaign also benefits from its close proximity to the University of Illinois. The university has a renowned engineering program, which has attracted top talent to the area. Many of these graduates go on to work in the freight transportation industry, bringing their expertise and innovation to the local businesses. This has helped Champaign become a center for research and development in the field of transportation, further enhancing its reputation as a leader in the industry.

St. Louis, Missouri, known as the "Gateway to the West," has a rich history in freight transportation. The city's strategic location along the Mississippi River made it a crucial hub for trade and commerce in the 19th century. In fact, St. Louis was the largest inland port in the United States during that time, with steamboats and barges ferrying goods up and down the river. The city's prominence as a transportation hub continued with the development of railroads in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, further connecting St. Louis to the rest of the country.

One of the most iconic symbols of St. Louis is the Gateway Arch, which stands at 630 feet tall and is the tallest man-made monument in the United States. The arch was built as a monument to the westward expansion of the United States and serves as a reminder of St. Louis' historical role as a gateway for people and goods traveling westward. Today, St. Louis remains an important transportation hub, with a major international airport and an extensive network of highways and railroads that facilitate the movement of goods and people throughout the region.