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!
The Department of Justice, on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency, has filed a lawsuit against NS to ensure the railroad pays for the cleanup at the site of the Feb. 3 Ohio train derailment.
Four rail cars caught fire when a BNSF train 100 miles northwest of Minneapolis derailed early Thursday morning. The incident spurred an evacuation of area residents within a half-mile of the scene.
The Natural Resources Defense Council wants the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Association to prohibit the transport of LNG by rail unless a company receives a special permit.
Rail car manufacturer FreightCar America is eyeing opportunities to manufacture tank cars that would carry nonflammable materials should its competitors be busy manufacturing DOT-117 tank cars.
For railroads to increase market share and grow volume, it will require new services and a very different mentality on service performance.
Union Pacific will hold off on plans to redeploy the train conductor from the locomotive cab to grounds-based work, according to a tentative agreement between UP and SMART-TD.
Norfolk Southern and SMART-TD are tabling discussions about how to handle conductor redeployments as congressional lawmakers want more information about what rail safety initiatives should become law.
CSX inks another sick leave deal with a union, Greenbrier releases some preliminary Q2 results and Norfolk Southern adds two executive roles to its marketing division.
Rail is dominated by just a few large players. A new merger is going to make the industry even more consolidated. Some farmers are worried.
Union Pacific is the latest railroad to set an agreement with several unions granting workers paid sick days.
The National Transportation Safety Board has published preliminary findings on two recent Norfolk Southern incidents.
Although February volumes at SC Ports were down 13% year over year, they still represented the second-highest total for the month in port history.
Canadian railway CN and the union Unifor have reached a tentative collective deal, thus averting a potential strike. BNSF and Canadian Pacific also have reached agreements.
CSX makes changes to its operational team and beefs up its industrial development program, while Norfolk Southern reaches another sick leave agreement with a union. Also, RailState names a former BNSF executive to its advisory board.
A law firm specializing in stockholder rights wants Norfolk Southern investors to join a class-action lawsuit over precision scheduled railroading. The firm says certain PSR practices compromised safety and depressed NS stock prices.
Two congressional representatives from Ohio have introduced a rail safety bill that they say would build off of NTSB’s findings into the cause of the Feb. 3 derailment of a Norfolk Southern train.
Canadian Pacific laid out who will be in key leadership roles after the company merges with Kansas City Southern in April.
Shippers and others weigh in on the Surface Transportation Board approving the railroad merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern.
The Surface Transportation Board has approved merger plans between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern railroads.
The International Association of Machinists and the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen have each reached sick leave agreements with Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC).
