Joanna Marsh
Monday, February 3, 2020
Regional Rail to acquire Carolina Coastal Railway
The acquisition will expand Regional Rail’s short line operations into North Carolina.
Railroad
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!
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Joanna Marsh
Monday, February 3, 2020
Teamsters Canada Rail Conference ratifies collective agreement
Members overwhelmingly ratified the agreement with Canadian National. The collective agreement will last through July 2022.
Joanna Marsh
Monday, February 3, 2020
Four more state legislatures introduce train crew bills
Lawmakers in Missouri, New York, Virginia and Wyoming introduce legislation to require freight trains to have a minimum crew size.
FreightWaves Staff
Saturday, February 1, 2020
FreightWaves SONAR releases loaded and empty rail volumes (with video)
FreightWaves SONAR has new information for subscribers.
Joanna Marsh
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Canadian Pacific sees volume opportunities
A short line acquisition in Atlantic Canada and enhanced crude oil production in western Canada could boost rail volumes in the coming years, executive said.
Joanna Marsh
Thursday, January 30, 2020
US rail traffic slumps again
The drop comes as the Class I railroads look to the second half of 2020 for volume growth.
Joanna Marsh
Thursday, January 30, 2020
US Class I railroads eye intermodal lane opportunities
Union Pacific opens lanes, while Norfolk Southern talks lane opportunities to take market share from trucks.
Chris Gillis
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
US imposes sanctions on Russian railroad operator
Moscow-based Grand Service Express began offering service to the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula in December.
Joanna Marsh
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Canadian National eyes growth opportunities in intermodal, crude-by-rail
Recent trade developments should help rail volumes improve, particularly in the second half of 2020, executives said.
Noi Mahoney
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Less volume drives down Norfolk Southern profit
Railroad giant Norfolk Southern Corp.’s fourth-quarter profit declined 5% as the company hauled 9% less freight, officials said. Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) reported its operating and financial results for the fourth quarter of 2019 before the market opened Wednesday. Norfolk Southern (NS) reported total revenues of $2.7 billion in the fourth quarter, down 7% year-over-year, […]
Joanna Marsh
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Higher revenue boosts Canadian Pacific’s fourth-quarter profits
Revenue gains for grain, energy, chemicals and plastics provide boost.
Joanna Marsh
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Canadian National’s fourth-quarter net income falls 23.6%
The railway cited the labor strike and weak freight demand in lower fourth-quarter profits.
Joanna Marsh
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Canadian Pacific, Teamsters have sharply diverging reactions to train accident documentary
The railway and the rail union respond to a CBC documentary about a fatal February 2019 train accident.
Joanna Marsh
Friday, January 24, 2020
Union Pacific seeks to eke out efficiencies
The railroad eyes slight volume growth in 2020 amid plans for longer trains and reduced headcount.
Todd Maiden
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Jet engines bolster earnings at railcar lessor GATX
Spare aircraft engine dispositions stave off weakened demand for railcars in North America.
Joanna Marsh
Thursday, January 23, 2020
US rail volumes still sluggish
Year-to-date U.S. rail traffic is 7.8% lower compared with the same period in 2019.
Joanna Marsh
Thursday, January 23, 2020
US Class I rail headcount tumbles
Employment levels at the U.S. operations of the Class I railroads hit their lowest point in years, according to data from the Surface Transportation Board.
Joanna Marsh
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Union Pacific fourth-quarter net profit slips 10%
Net income falls in the fourth quarter amid a decline in operating revenue and a decrease in rail volumes.
Joanna Marsh
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Freight transportation stakeholders grapple with big uncertainties
Geopolitical tides, e-commerce and technology are today’s “disruptors” in freight transportation, say panelists at Transportation Research Board convention.
Jim Blaze
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Commentary: Is saving coal a fool’s errand?
Railroad expert Jim Blaze writes about coal, a key commodity hauled by rail. The amount of coal being hauled by rail is declining. Why? And what does the future hold?