Abstract: A method and system for conducting an online transaction to fulfill a rail-shipment service inquiry or a rail-shipment service ordering is provided. A customer system is directed to implement a Graphical User Interface (GUI) providing an input object configured to accept a customer input identifying an origin and a destination for a shipment of goods. The GUI is configured for presenting a plurality of customer-selectable shipment options, including (a) a first route option corresponding to a first route including one or more rail segments owned by the same owner; and (b) a second route option corresponding to a second route including a plurality of rail segments where at least two of the plurality of rail segments are owned by different owners. The GUI is configured to receive a customer selection of a shipment option among the plurality of shipment options.