Some have dismissed shipping oil by rail as being merely a fad, a temporary fix to a short-term problem. Today, Fool.com contributors Aimee Duffy and Tyler Crowe talk about why recent deals made between Phillips 66 (PSX 0.70%) and two midstream companies signal something more permanent. Aimee lists a few reasons why producers are so willing to consider shipping not only by rail, but by barge as well, highlighting costly foreign imports and shorter contractual obligations. It is important to remember that while producers are favoring one type of transportation over another, the midstream industry will still benefit.