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!
A coalition of GOP Attorney Generals have asked the Department of Justice to review the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger.
The freight market has been sending mixed signals for months, but one trend stands out clearly as we move deeper into 2026: trucking spot rates have staged a meaningful recovery, while intermodal rates remain stubbornly anchored near cycle lows. Look at the data. Truckload spot rates (inclusive of fuel) are holding elevated around $2.80 per […]
Rail freight data showed a waiting game by U.S. shippers as commodity and intermodal volumes declined.
Union Pacific has again asked federal regulators to investigate Canadian Pacific Kansas City over its handling of intermodal trains on a key southern route.
CSX signed a $670 million deal with Wabtec to upgrade its locomotive fleet, the latest railroad to do so.
Dozens of Senators and Representatives have urged a careful review by federal regulators of the proposed merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern.
Longtime Canadian National executive Stacy Alderson to retire; engineering VP Jamie Lockwood promoted.
Freight on U.S. railroads plunged into the red in the latest data, after posting across-the-board gains the previous week.
Union Pacific and Wabtec have signed what they are calling the largest locomotive modernization agreement in the history of the rail industry.
Longtime CSX CAO retiring after playing a central role in guiding it through organizational transformations under four different CEOs.
Norfolk Southern said its customers advanced dozens of industrial projects representing $7.7 billion worth of investment in new or expanded rail-served facilities in 2025.
Canadian National said fourth-quarter revenue and operating income improved but warned of flat freight traffic in 2026.
Canadian National saw fourth-quarter revenue and profits climb on improved efficiency and higher freight volumes.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City saw quarterly profits increase despite economic and geopolitical headwinds.
A competing rail alliance drew off Norfolk Southern intermodal volumes in the fourth quarter, leaving freight volumes downward.
Norfolk Southern revenue, earnings fell in the fourth quarter on weaker freight volumes.
Union Pacific plans to file a revised merger application for its consolidation with Norfolk Southern.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City said fourth quarter earnings fell on narrow revenue gains but highlighted record operational metrics.
Rail freight volumes in the United States posted increases across the board in the latest weekly data.
Most of BNSF Railway’s $3.6 billion capital spending in 2026 is allocated for infrastructure maintenance.
