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!
On this week’s Drilling Deep podcast, host John Kingston welcomes Mike Baudensitel of FreightWaves to discuss whether the nation’s rail and intermodal sectors are getting any sort of lift from the trends that have helped the trucking markets since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. John also discusses the desperate attempts to bring the collapsing […]
The Eastern U.S. railroad joins CSX and Union Pacific in warning the Securities and Exchange Commission that it could see potential operational and financial impacts because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
No one was prepared for the global shipping disruption caused by COVID-19, but Mike Meierkort said Damco’s resiliency program is “the closest thing to having a playbook.”
Arrested Pacific Harbor Line locomotive driver apparently thought the Navy hospital ship was not at the Port of LA to do good.
The state’s governor Jay Inslee signed into law a bill that says a freight train crew must have at least two crew members.
Motor vehicles carloads fall nearly 67% as the coronavirus pandemic keeps buyers away from showrooms.
After a surge in freight over the past few weeks, UBS transportation analyst Tom Wadewitz is predicting a rough two months.
The railroads say the coronavirus pandemic could influence their financial results in 2020, but how deep that impact will be will depend on how long the pandemic lasts.
The railcar manufacturer shut down the Shoals facility for seven days after an employee contracted the coronavirus.
Commissioner Rebecca Dye will lead the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission effort with industry to identify “operational solutions to cargo delivery challenges” caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Canadian railways will have the network capacity to accommodate any sudden surges in demand once the coronavirus pandemic subsides, their executives said.
CEVA and DHL free themselves from contractual constraints to realign operations and facilitate pricing flexibility during pandemic.
Freight rail trade and labor groups applaud the U.S. federal government for passing the $2 trillion stimulus package aimed at stabilizing the American economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The rail industry will try to keep business as usual for as long as possible, according to recent notices to customers.
Using shock recorders when shipping freight may help shippers and carriers better protect freight and assign fault when damage occurs.
The coronavirus is impacting all sectors of the economy, and railroads are no different. Read what expert Jim Blaze thinks will happen going forward.
The pandemic may put pressure on U.S. rail volumes, particularly for commodities that support consumer goods, says an Association of American Railroads executive.
The eastern U.S. railroad promotes Vanessa Allen Sutherland to EVP and chief legal officer.
The requests to waive the Federal Railroad Administration’s regulations on random alcohol and drug testing and on certain rail operations are due to social distancing recommendations and an anticipated reduction in staff because of COVID-19.
A final rule that goes into effect in June calls for freight rail carriers involved in higher-risk operations to provide employee training to safeguard against terrorism-related incidents.
“It’s important for us to keep the supply chain fluid” during the coronavirus pandemic, Executive Director Gene Seroka says.
Two unions’ petition to the Federal Railroad Administration contends that some Class I railroads have been slow to respond to calls for better workplace sanitation amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Total headcount falls to its lowest level amid continued declines in U.S. rail volumes.
The Class I railroads would need to ensure that Amtrak can meet FRA’s on-time performance metrics for the routes they share with Amtrak.
The Chinese government is using the reason “Acts of God” to void many contracts due to coronavirus. Darren Prokop explores whether that is hurting current trade and will impact trade in the future.
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency issues guidance on critical industries as millions of Americans ordered to stay home.
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.
Global law firm HFW and Southeastern Freight Lines announce promotions.
The railroad installed its first-ever train inspection portal southeast of its largest hump yard in Georgia last December.
USD Partners and Gibson Energy will begin construction of a unit in April that will produce a nonhazardous heavy crude product.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announces Rick Cotton is under quarantine and some port authority staffers will be tested.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen wants freight and passenger railroads to temporarily alter their sick leave policies and provide stronger sanitizing materials.
The autonomous track inspection technology is mounted on a locomotive, allowing NS to inspect rail track in real time.
Jim Blaze writes about the outlook for intermodal rail in 2020.
Company accused of cheating its way into U.S. markets while posing a security threat
The Eastern U.S. railroad moves its leaders to new positions as the railroad continues to roll out its operating model based on precision scheduled railroading.
“In 2020 both governments expect to implement low-cost, high-impact strategies to simplify customs and immigration screening and reduce wait times,” the U.S. State Department said.
Excluding coal carloads, U.S. carloads in February fell only 0.8% from last year, according to the Association of American Railroads.
The 2019 Protecting America’s Food and Agriculture Act provides funding to help Customs and Border Protection close a shortfall among its agriculture specialist ranks over the next three years.
Canadian National CEO JJ Ruest still expects the company will meet 2020 targets despite a significant hit from rail blockades.
With the possibility of rail blockades fading, the railway is seeking to ramp up its eastern operations again after it had shut them down for roughly two weeks because of protests.
William J. Flynn was formerly CEO of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, and his leadership experience spans the air cargo, freight railroad and maritime industries.
The tentative agreement could help bring an end to protests on the country’s freight transportation network.
The rail industry could see merger activity in the next five to 10 years should the regulatory and economic environment make them necessary.
FreightWaves Market Expert Mike Baudendistel writes about the issues impacting rail intermodal in 2020, and the ongoing battle between the railroads and the trucking industry.
The rule, effective on April 3, addresses concerns of shippers, particularly those involved in paper products, steel scrap and agricultural goods.
Positive train control has been fully implemented on the Class I rail network, with 48% of the network able to communicate with tenant railroads.
The National Treasury Employees Union tells House appropriators that Customs and Border Protection requires an additional 1,100 officers and staff to carry out its mission at the nation’s ports of entry.
Details are skimpy at this point, but a lot more refiners are going to need to account for ethanol somehow in their operations.
2019’s $1.2 billion in investments spans consumer, agricultural, industrial products industries
Global market uncertainty weighed down Canada’s largest container port in second half of 2019.
FreightCar America’s fourth-quarter results highlight the weakened railcar demand environment.
U.S. rail traffic maintains its slump for another week
Harbor commissions sign agreement to collaborate on common issues.
Law enforcement may have broken up protesters’ rail blockade near Belleville, Ontario, but it’s uncertain when freight rail operations will return to normal. Stakeholders along Canada’s supply chain are also still jittery over the potential for additional blockades.
In the past 30 years railroad freight cars have been able to carry heavier loads, thanks to decisions made in the late 1980s. Read Jim Blaze’s article about what happened and how it has been very important to the railroads.
Uncertainty is still an underlying theme facing North American freight railroads.
Reported deal to let Canadian National quietly route some freight around protests gets high marks from director of trucking company hit hard by the disruptions.
Authorities have cleared a key route between Toronto and Montreal after protesters blocked the rail route for over two weeks.
Lower operating expenses helped buoy BNSF’s quarterly and annual profits despite declines in rail volumes and revenue.
Slumping rail volumes and the Class I railroads’ operational efficiency efforts contribute to the headcount decline.
Ontario Provincial Police move to end blockades on a key stretch of CN’s rail network linking Toronto and Montreal after more than two weeks of protests that have disrupted Canada’s supply chain.
As risks surge and stocks plunge, a look at the key coronavirus issues and a rundown of FreightWaves’ coverage to date.
Canada’s prime minister calls two-week-long disruptions to country’s supply chains in protest of a gas pipeline ‘unacceptable and untenable’ as rail freight continues to shift to trucks.
Head of academic center sees spike in rates, or continued pain through the sector.
Montreal-based Energy Transportation Group moving on loads of bulk commodities as nervous shippers lose patience with two-week disruption of Canada’s rail services from pipeline protests.
The rail equipment manufacturer and lessor is reducing deliveries of new railcars at the start of 2020, but it’s eyeing an improving market later this year.
Year-to-date U.S. rail traffic is over 6% lower than the same period in 2019.
Private equity firm Stonepeak hopes the acquisition of TRAC Intermodal, a marine chassis pool manager and equipment provider, will beef up Stonepeak’s infrastructure and transportation market portfolio.
Incident captured on video on Manitoba highway underscores high stakes and worsening tensions across the country as anti-pipeline protests severely disrupt Canadian supply chains.
The rail equipment manufacturer and lessor managed to increase quarterly revenues despite a slump in North American railcar demand.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at International Falls, Minnesota, discovered the illegal product in two 40-foot containers from China.
Canadian National lays off employees, industry groups warn of significant supply chain disruptions and government and First Nations leaders continue to discuss the multi-day protests that have blocked portions of Canada’s rail network.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance calls for an end to disruptions to Canadian National’s network as it warns of effect on intermodal carriers and the broader industry.
The Eastern U.S. rail company cites declining coal volumes and fewer utilized locomotives as contributing factors for the closure.
Railroads once carried much of the fresh produce across the U.S. Can they do it again? Jim Blaze explores the topic in his latest commentary.
The rail equipment and locomotive manufacturer eyes freight opportunities abroad amid a sluggish North American freight rail market.
Fifteen projects net funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration.
The rail equipment and locomotive manufacturer benefits from its merger with GE Transportation.
Series of book reviews makes clear there is much to learn from successes of the past.
Rail disruptions cause operational issues at the ports of Vancouver and Halifax.
