If you are familiar with the cars on the northeast railroads you'll know Lackawanna, Delaware & Hudson & Lehigh Valley had big fleets of double sheathed cars. One reason for this is they each had supplies of inexpensive, locally grown lumber.
They still do some logging in northeast Pennsylvania and up until recently wood fibers were used to make disposable diapers. I've seen trucks hauling huge logs near where I live.
There's a lot of  "unimproved" land were I live - the hills are too steep to build anything. 
I live less than 3 miles from former LV & DL&W right of ways. Although unused there are still some Lackawanna tracks.