Commentary: Intermodal missed signals? Fumbling so close to the growth goal line?
Intermodal was supposed to be the growth engine for rail.
Commentary: Is outlook for Mexico’s rail freight still relevant?
Jim Blaze explores the state of the major railroads that operate in Mexico – particularly Kansas City Southern, which is rumored to be a takeover target.
Commentary: Will railroads grow organically or just recover?
The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of FreightWaves or its affiliates. That search for modal share growth is still fundamentally the real strategic challenge for the seven Class 1 North American railroads. Profitability remains excellent. Net cash flow? Down a bit during the second quarter […]
Commentary: What are best practices for private railcar storage?
About 25% of the total railcar fleet is in storage of one kind or another. Jim Blaze writes about best practices of rail storage.
Commentary: Do you want to build a freight railroad?
The cost to build a railroad is staggering. Jim Blaze gives an overview of the costs involved in such an endeavor.
Commentary: Should we fear mega-railroad mergers?
Jim Blaze explores the pontential for a merger or mergers among the Class 1 railroads.
Commentary: Making a tough best guess market forecast
Railroad volumes continue to drop. What might they do to increase volumes? Where are the volume increases going to come from?
Commentary: Does rebuilding locomotives beat buying new?
Jim Blaze writes about the advantages to the railroads of rebuilding locomotives instead of buying new ones.
Commentary: Looking at PSR again
Are the railroads following Hunter Harrison’s PSR directives? Railroad expert Jim Blaze explores the topic.
Commentary: When will PSR-driven volume and service growth emerge?
Like all industries, the coronavirus has impacted railroads. What should they be doing to gain market share and better serve their customers?
Commentary: Many freight locomotives no longer needed
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic the Class I railroads were mothballing freight cars – and locomotives. Jim Blaze examines the issues surrounding the surplus of locomotives.
Commentary: How do railroads manage costs during pandemic?
The pandemic’s economic toll has hit all sectors of transportation, including rail. Read how railroads can manage costs during this global crisis.
Commentary: Steel rivers of grain continue to flow
Transporting grain is a major source of revenue for the railroads. How will the coronavirus impact the grain market and the railroads?
Commentary: Railroad tank cars take a hit
Jim Blaze looks at the declining need for railroad tank cars. Why is this happening and what’s next?
Commentary: What is the risk to rail freight volume?
The coronavirus is impacting all sectors of the economy, and railroads are no different. Read what expert Jim Blaze thinks will happen going forward.
Commentary: Can the railcar fleet be simplified?
Should the railroads pare the number of types of railcars? Jim Blaze explores this topic.
Commentary: There are too many freight cars
Are there too many railroad freight cars? Jim Blaze writes about many reasons why this is the case.
Commentary: Has the outlook for intermodal railcar purchases stalled?
Jim Blaze writes about the outlook for intermodal rail in 2020.
Commentary: Why heavy axle loading freight matters
In the past 30 years railroad freight cars have been able to carry heavier loads, thanks to decisions made in the late 1980s. Read Jim Blaze’s article about what happened and how it has been very important to the railroads.
Commentary: Will railroad reefer traffic ever return?
Railroads once carried much of the fresh produce across the U.S. Can they do it again? Jim Blaze explores the topic in his latest commentary.