Commentary: Can the railcar fleet be simplified?
Should the railroads pare the number of types of railcars? Jim Blaze explores this topic.
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.
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Should the railroads pare the number of types of railcars? Jim Blaze explores this topic.
Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific each have employees who have contracted the virus, and they and those around them are in self-quarantine.
The three Class I railroads have set or will set targets as part of their involvement in a global initiative.
OmniTRAX announces new CFO following several additions to the management team.
Intermodal volumes slump as the coronavirus cuts North American import and export volume.
The bills call actions such as setting federal penalties for blocked crossings and allowing funding for the construction of more rail-grade crossings.
Economic uncertainties, including the prospect of a coronavirus-induced recession, could spur the railroad to update its 2020 guidance.
Office operations that remain open implement CDC guidance to protect employees from spreading or contracting COVID-19.
The midstream logistics provider and the on-site rail services company say their alliance will provide cost efficiencies at the first and last miles.
Canceled vessel sailings are resulting in too many intermodal containers at the ports and limited container availability inland.
The modifications include extra precautions that follow CDC guidance.
FreightWaves SONAR can help those in the freight industry stay current with what is happening in transportation and logistics during the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus has strained supply chains and had a huge impact on the movement of freight.
The $248.5 million in grant funding goes to support local and state projects.
Are there too many railroad freight cars? Jim Blaze writes about many reasons why this is the case.
Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific say they have contingency plans should the coronavirus threaten to disrupt operations.
The Canadian oil and natural gas producer cited falling crude prices as a reason for temporarily stopping crude shipments via rail.
The drop in weekly intermodal volumes in North America could be a reflection of the impact of coronavirus on the supply chain.
Ports authority braces for expected hit from coronavirus but still expects to finish the fiscal year above plan.
Industry group estimates farmers will face rail blockade-related costs of over C$300 million.