Railroads continue to play a significant role in North America’s economic infrastructure. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration, the U.S. rail freight network covers almost 140,000 route miles and is generally considered the largest, safest, and most cost-efficient freight system in the world. In addition, says the FRA, the almost $80 billion rail freight industry creates more than 167,000 jobs across the country.
In essence, rail freight companies charge businesses to carry cargo across their network of rails. Their rates are overseen by the Surface Transportation Board, a federal agency that regulates financial aspects of surface transportation. Major railroads in North America include Union Pacific Railroad, BNSF Railway, CSX, Norfolk Southern, Canadian Pacific Kansas City and Canadian National Railway.
Keep up with the latest news, trends and reports concerning rail freight transport here!
The merger filing of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern still lacks information for proper federal review, say shippers’ trade groups.
A building peak surge, and shift from trucks to rail, paced increased stronger intermodal loadings for U.S. railroads.
CPKC posted record Q2 revenue strong performances in grain, automotive, and energy sectors.
Industrial products led rail freight traffic as intermodal volumes eased from their recent surge.
The CEO of BNSF says Union Pacific’s latest regulatory filing does nothing to change the anti-competitive aspects of the $85 billion rail merger.
The CEOs of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are confident that their merger application addressing competition concerns provides a compelling case for regulatory approval.
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have added new customer assurances to their merger application filing.
Prosecutors charged 11 people after seven migrants, including a 14-year-old, died inside a rail cargo container traveling through Texas. Each defendant faces up to life in prison if convicted.
Conrail, the regional rail operator co-owned by Norfolk Southern and CSX, is searching for a new chief executive.
Canadian National upgrades forecast for FY 2026 on higher revenue, profit in Q2
A deal by Union Pacific to win over a key competitor for its merger with Norfolk Southern actually undermines its proposal, says BNSF
Union Pacific raised its financial forecast after posting higher profits in the second quarter.
Norfolk Southern posted Q2 earnings that saw operating income rise 5% on revenue that was 11% higher.
Union Pacific posts strong results as rail sector enjoys resurgent volumes in 2026 and regulators review merger with Norfolk Southern.
Norfolk Southern Corp. said Q2 earnings exceeded Wall Street expectations on higher freight volumes and fuel surcharges.
CSX raised its full-year outlook after a rebound in demand that saw increases in volume, revenue and income.
Canadian National will support the UP-NS merger in exchange for improved access to markets in the U.S. Midwest and Mexico.
CSX beat analysts’ estimates on Q2 growth in carload and intermodal volumes.
Containers and trailers hauled by rail powered ahead while carload shipments were narrowly off in the latest U.S. data.
Rail freight volume is still well ahead of 2024, but network issues may be slowing traffic movement.
Frightening video shows a Canadian National crew pleading for help as a wildfire threatens to engulf their train.
Norfolk Southern has promoted a 21-year company veteran to lead intermodal and automotive operations.
A Norfolk Southern crewman was killed while making a trackside inspection of a passing train.
As the Big Boy steam locomotive thundered into Philadelphia for the USA 250 celebration, the CEOs of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern talked about the proposed merger that could reshape the American supply chain.
Freight on U.S. railroads continued to enjoy a banner year as intermodal and commodity shipments powered into the July 4 weekend.
Rail freight turned in another strong week leading up to the July 4 holiday.
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted initial responses to the Surface Transportation Board’s request for additional data regarding their proposed transcontinental rail merger.
A stagnant market for rail freight fleet replacement saw lower railcar deliveries weigh on revenue and profits at Greenbrier
Truck transportation job growth has eked out a small gain this year, but is way below a year ago.
Rising fuel and trucking costs have caused a rail volume surge, slowing down major U.S. railroads.
Intermodal traffic and industrial products continue to lead resurgent volumes across U.S. railroads.
CSX rolled out its U.S. 250th commemorative locomotives in Washington where it claims the title as the sole Class I freight railroad.
The Laredo Gateway Industrial Railway project aims to expand short rail access for cross-border cargo between the U.S. and Mexico.
The world’s second-biggest ocean container line makes a major rail shift for boxes moving inland out of Southern California.
International Longshore and Warehouse Union workers called the first strike in decades against a major California sugar processor.
The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay secured a $25 million federal grant to advance planning for the West Coast’s first fully ship-to-rail intermodal terminal.
Norfolk Southern’s CEO says the railroad is prioritizing both improving current service and pursuing a merger with Union Pacific.
Surging intermodal volumes and industrial products paced gainers for U.S. railroads in the latest weekly data.
U.S.-based Americold plants a flag in Canada as part of a rail-maritime cold chain integration with CPKC and DP World.
CSX officially opens a $495 million tunnel project in Baltimore to increase container traffic along the I-95 corridor and at the city’s port.
A local city council has approved a massive intermodal project BNSF positioned as a linchpin for the future of rail freight originating at the busiest U.S. container complex.
U.S. railroads notched up freight traffic in the latest week, as total volumes more than doubled growth year-to-date.
Retailers of agricultural products say they’ll be whipsawed by higher freight rates and poorer service if a proposed transcontinental railroad merger is approved.
FreightWaves Today discussed the rail markets surge, transportation management systems automation and FMCSA regulatory vetting during Wednesday’s live show.
Freight on U.S. railroads continues to outpace year-ago traffic in the latest trackside data.
Investigators say organized cargo theft crews continue targeting Arizona rail corridors, with train burglaries occurring up to a dozen times each month across Northern Arizona.
Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena stated the company can afford its $85 billion Norfolk Southern merger without federal investment.
Richard J. Kloster has been sworn in as the newest member of the Surface Transportation Board.
Opponents of a controversial transcontinental rail merger hailed the House transportation appropriations committee’s backing of a ‘rigorous’ review of the deal by federal regulators.
Truck transportation jobs mostly reversed the strong gains posted a month earlier.
Freight moving on U.S. railroads continued to post solid gains on improved industrial output and higher intermodal traffic.
Five people were killed and two injured in four separate freight train collisions over the past week, including incidents near San Antonio and Ypsilanti, Michigan.
A coalition of retail, business, and supply-chain groups is urging the U.S. Senate to act on a cargo theft bill passed by the House.
The Surface Transportation Board granted conditional acceptance of the revised UP-NS merger application. What does that mean for the proposed transcontinental rail merger?
Norfolk Southern promotes a new operations chief with a deep background in eastern railroading.
The Surface Transportation Board gave conditional approval of the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern revised merger application, but asked for more information.
The Surface Transportation Board accepted the merger application from Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, on the condition that the partners submit more data for evaluation.
Surging intermodal helps lift U.S. rail freight traffic to another strong week.
Union Pacific refuted claims by the top law enforcement officials of six states that it omitted key data in its revised merger application with Norfolk Southern.
A group of Attorneys General are again urging federal regulators to reject the application for the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern transcontinental rail merger.
An industry trade group says the new surface transportation legislation offers some rail-positive provisions, but expressed disappointment at inclusions favoring heavier trucks and expensive safety mandates.
The Railway Safety Act opposed by railroads rode Trump’s backing to be included in surface transportation funding legislation.
The CEO of Union Pacific said he is confident the revised UP-Norfolk Southern merger application will be accepted by the Surface Transportation Board.
OmniTRAX appoints VP of transload to lead its network-wide expansion.
Rail freight posted another positive week as seven out of 10 categories improved from a year ago.
Global logistics provider DHL provides the logistics support that makes Formula 1 races possible around the world. Traditionally relying on air, ocean and road transport, DHL has now moved the first F1 shipment between race locations by rail.
Southern California ports saw broadly steady container dwell in April across truck and rail.
BNSF has a new operations chief after Matt Garland lasted just five months as COO.
The House released massive surface transportation reauthorization legislation that sets federal spending for infrastructure and services across a range of modes.
Union Pacific filed a complaint with federal regulators alleging that BNSF Railway’s cancellation of certain reciprocal switching rates has significantly increased costs for grain shippers.
Industrial improvement led rail freight modestly higher as grain and chemical shipments topped volume gains.
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern defended their revised merger application, calling it “comprehensive and complete” while rebutting calls for its rejection.
House passage of a bill to fight retail crime won approval from a rail trade group, who called on the Justice Department to do more to fight supply chain theft.
Canadian National urged a U.S. regulator to reject the revised but still-incomplete merger application submitted by Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern.
Six people were found dead inside a cargo boxcar at a Union Pacific rail yard in Laredo, Texas, as authorities launched an investigation into the incident.
The latest jobs report shows a healthy hiring level for truck transportation jobs.
Freight on U.S. railroads from intermodal to grain showed breakout strength in the latest week’s data.
The Georgia Ports Authority has opened a new inland port it claims will convert 26,000 truckloads of freight to rail each year.
Amazon has opened its logistics network to outside businesses, a move analysts believe could increase intermodal volume while disrupting major industry players.
Developers break ground on a new Baltimore container terminal they hope will spur a sea change in mid-Atlantic intermodal transportation.
Union Pacific could walk away from its proposed merger with Norfolk Southern if federal regulators impose onerous conditions for approval.
BNSF Railway saw first-quarter profits strengthen on higher freight volume and more efficient operations.
The North American rail industry is at a crossroads due to reshoring and tech growth. This symposium provides a forum to align strategy, policy, and execution for the future.
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern say their updated merger filing to create the first transcontinental railroad makes an even stronger case for increased growth, lower shipper costs, and a more robust U.S. supply chain.
As Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern prepare to file an updated merger application with regulators, rival railroads have launched a coalition aimed at stopping the proposed transcontinental tie-up.
Canadian National said profits declined even as total freight moving across its network improved.
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association has appointed Justin Broyles of R.J. Corman as the new chairman of its board of directors.
Wabtec reported a rise in first-quarter earnings, fueled by robust sales growth in both its freight and transit divisions compared to the previous year.
Alameda Belt Line, co-owned by Union Pacific and BNSF, will negotiate for the contract to provide switching services to the Port of Los Angeles-Long Beach.
Freight infrastructure group’s board adds new member, re-elects four to board.
Union Pacific delivered record operating income and revenue despite weaker international intermodal and automotive shipments that hurt overall freight volumes.
Norfolk Southern said first-quarter earnings were slightly lower as winter weather woes and higher fuel prices hurt freight volumes.
Union Pacific reported first quarter income improved from a year ago as improved pricing and higher fuel surcharge revenue offset a narrow decline in carload freight.
First-quarter earnings surged at CSX on higher revenue and lower operating costs.
Intermodal freight rebounded in the latest weekly rail data to narrow the gap with year-ago volumes.
CSX has significantly reduced operations at its major Chicago-area terminal, and shifted most switching work to other carriers.
More than $2 billion in federal grants that have become a vital component of short line and regional railroad operations are now available.
Commodity rail freight is powering ahead of year-ago levels while intermodal traffic limps along in the latest industry data.
Shippers want federal regulators to disclose confidential terms under which Union Pacific could walk away from its proposed merger with Norfolk Southern.
Norfolk Southern’s Mark George says the acquisition of the railroad by Union Pacific will speed up the movement of freight and spur unprecedented growth across the U.S. rail network.
