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!
Michigan-based asset-light logistics provider aims to boost western U.S. presence with latest acquisition.
Four new inbound truck lanes recently opened at Virginia International Gateway, increasing the capacity at the terminal’s gate complex by 30 percent.
Most of the hit is coming from an arbitration award with BNSF. Its conference call with investors is a change in its normal practice.
Norfolk Southern has control over a small connector railroad in the Hampton Roads port area, and CSX says it is using that control to block CSX from launching significant intermodal service there.
In Today’s Pickup: Michael is headed toward the Gulf, a quote by Hunter Harrison and a not-complimentary look at the job of a truck driver.
Howard Green is best on fights between the serial CEO and his boards, activist investors, and proxy wars, but there’s a lot in the book for railroad buffs who want to know more about Harrison’s signature philosophy, precision scheduled railroading.
Intermodal has attracted more freight thanks to tight truck markets, but growth rates will moderate.
It’s been quite a few weeks in the discussions regarding precision railroading vs. not-precision, for lack of a better term. Also: OPEC pumping strong, Bangkok a growing intermodal hub
Mike Lacey sees some improvement in his relationship with railroads, but it’s coming from a very low point.
Long-serving railroad man led BNSF through acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway.
The debt rating agency sees some drawbacks to the process, but is otherwise strongly in support of the growing trend.
BNSF will use the CSX system to haul intermodal freight from the LA/Long Beach port, and service on the CSX system will be added from the New York/New Jersey port.
Tired truck drivers? That’s a big concern based on a new survey by the National Safety Council that found 97% of transportation employers are worried about employee fatigue.
The depreciating Indian rupee coupled with rising fuel prices have hit the Indian transportation corridor quite hard. The Indian government is now coming up with new regulations and innovative transportation practices to ease pressure.
An annual review of the logistics business gets published; dueling intermodal views; and a startup gets a big chunk of funding.
A response to an earlier piece discussing railroad attendance at IANA’s recent expo and the benefits of precision railroading.
Largest U.S. intermodal rail carrier sees uptick in domestic containers and trailers as trucking capacity remains tight.
The lawsuit asserts that water “poured in through a gap in city levees,” and it says the gap was created by a railway underpass owned by CSX.
The numbers look good but deteriorating service is tarnishing the traditional role of intermodal.
Port aims for new on-dock rail facility to handle increased container throughput and meet clean-air goals.
