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!
Activist investment firm Ancora Alternatives has led five separate change campaigns in the transportation industry and sees further opportunity to shake up the space.
CSX has laid off about 5% of its non-union employees and furloughed dozens of train crewmen.
Jaguar Transport Holdings and Spokane International Airport partner on a new transload facility connecting to the national rail network.
The Surface Transportation Board proposed changes to make it easier for shippers to get freight services from a railroad that doesn’t directly serve their locations.
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern urged federal regulators to reject what they claim are efforts by rival railroads to delay the merger process.
R. J. Corman Railroad Co. President Ray Goss to retire after a five-decade career in the rail industry.
Walmart’s $152 million warehouse acquisition near Phoenix highlights a surge of logistics and real estate investment transforming the Southwest freight market.
GATX Corp. and Brookfield Infrastructure Partners said they have received clearances to finalize the acquisition of Wells Fargo’s rail operating lease portfolio.
Rail traffic fell 7% for the last full week of 2025 as intermodal was weaker by 4.3% year-on-year.
Amtrak has rejected a proposed private transcontinental passenger train that would have also carried vehicles.
Pennsylvania short line North Shore Railroad has unveiled a commemorative locomotive honoring the U.S. semiquincentennial.
Skepticism over claimed benefits marked reactions to the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger filing.
The Surface Transportation Board is asking comments on the completeness of the 7,000-page merger application from Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern.
Merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will create 10,000 single-line rail lanes, annually shifting 105,000 truckloads to rail and improving efficiency by eliminating interchanges.
The merger filing by Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern doesn’t change the fact that the merger is bad for the economy and consumers, BNSF CEO Katie Farmer said.
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern file a comprehensive merger application with the Surface Transportation Board to create America’s first transcontinental railroad.
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will file their formal merger application Friday with the Surface Transportation Board, detailing historic plans for the first transcontinental railroad.
Rail freight has been below 2024 levels for eight consecutive weeks, according to the Association of American Railroads.
Two of the largest U.S. railroad unions oppose the proposed merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, raising concerns that the first transcontinental rail system could lead to increased safety risks and higher freight rates.
Union Pacific has finished expanding its Casa Grande Yard, effectively doubling the facility’s capacity.
