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!
Despite a 22% volume decline year over year, the Port of Savannah had its fourth-busiest October, according to the Georgia Ports Authority.
Outgoing STB Chair Martin Oberman had harsh words for Union Pacific at the RailTrends conference.
Executives with CSX, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern at recent investor conferences listed some of the ways they expect to improve rail service.
After serving one five-year term on the Surface Transportation Board, Chairman Marty Oberman has decided against seeking reappointment.
Two sites in Iowa and one in Kansas have been added to BNSF’s certified sites list for locations that are primed for industrial development and near BNSF’s rail network.
Dozens of industry stakeholders, from individual Class I railroads to multiple shipper groups to the trade unions, offered their input on what’s wrong and what’s right about the Surface Transportation Board’s proposed rulemaking on reciprocal switching.
BNSF, J.B. Hunt Transport Services and Mexico’s GMXT are launching an intermodal service in January between Mexico and the Midwest.
3i-backed Regional Rail plans to acquire two more short-line railroads, one in Ohio and one in Indiana, as part of a push to expand its presence in the Midwest.
BNSF and Navajo Transitional Energy Co. have reached a settlement on NTEC’s request for more rail service to export coal.
The National Transportation Safety Board wants freight and passenger railroads to incorporate new technologies that boost the effectiveness of existing positive train control technologies.
High numbers of migrant crossings in September disrupted freight rail operations, including Trinity Industries’ and FreightCar America’s ability to send new rail cars into the U.S., executives said on recent earnings calls.
Canadian railway CN, the Mississippi State Port Authority and Ports America have signed a memorandum of understanding for an intermodal service at the Port of Gulfport.
Cincinnati voters on Tuesday approved selling Cincinnati Southern Railway to Norfolk Southern for $1.62 billion.
The rail industry continues to streamline operations and realign rail car fleet management via acquisitions.
J.B. Hunt and BNSF Railway announce the launch of a new customized intermodal offering at FreightWaves’ F3: Future of Freight Festival 2023.
The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded $16.4 billion to 25 passenger rail projects, many of which are in the busy Northeast corridor. Freight rail may also benefit from the projects.
A 13% decline in total revenues dented BNSF’s net profit for the third quarter.
Total employed in the sector now more than 30,000 fewer than at May peak
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A look at U.S. Class I rail employment data shows that head count for train and engine crews grew when comparing averages in 2023 with 2020 — but employment totals for those maintaining equipment and stores appeared to fall.
