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!
Republican legislators in a letter to federal regulators warn that the merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern could create a rail colossus and with it raise prices and hinder U.S. competitiveness.
The top law enforcement officers for nine states say the merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern threatens national security – and President Trump’s plans for American prosperity.
Declining container volumes are aiding port and terminal operations, but trucking issues could impact the supply chain in 2026, a new report finds.
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern took the first official step in their proposed merger as shareholders approved the transcontinental tie-up.
Higher shipments of grain and nonmetallic minerals failed to offset intermodal’s decline, according to the Association of American Railroads.
Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena refutes BNSF’s claim that its merger with Norfolk Southern would lead to the elimination of hundreds of intermodal lanes.
Rail freight is mirroring the uneven U.S. economic outlook, according to the latest analysis from the Association of American Railroads.
Union Pacific wins more union support for Norfolk Southern merger with career job guarantees for NCFO train crew members.
Nominees who will help judge the fate of the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger told a Senate hearing they won’t let politics influence their decisions.
A decline in intermodal shipments led U.S. railfreight volumes lower in the latest week data.
TRAC Intermodal has reached an agreement with Florida East Coast Railway to stage domestic chassis directly on FEC terminals.
Florida East Coast Railway helped owner Grupo Mexico’s transportation division increase third-quarter operating income on higher revenue despite flat freight volumes.
BNSF Railway revenue and profits saw sequential gains for the third quarter and nine months.
U.S. rail traffic remained below 2024 levels for the third consecutive week and the sixth time in eight weeks, with both carload and intermodal traffic experiencing declines.
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have asked the Surface Transportation Board to expedite the review of their proposed transcontinental merger.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City profits increased in the third quarter on higher freight volume and revenue despite economic uncertainty and trade tensions.
Year-over-year rail volume growth is fading.
A heavy-duty truck hauling rocks collided with an Amtrak passenger train carrying 129 people near San Antonio on Tuesday.
New CSX chief Steve Angel has named new leadership of the railroad’s finance and commercial units.
The State of Freight for October found some reasons to be bullish.
