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!
Two bills, one before the New York State Senate and another before the New York State Assembly, would require Class I and Class II railroads to have a minimum train crew size.
Norfolk Southern issued green bonds in 2021 that enabled it to fund $496 million in projects that aimed to lower carbon emissions.
Rail investors and observers think the Class I railroads’ efforts to bolster train and engine crew counts will improve rail service in the second half of this year. But geopolitical, economic and regulatory uncertainties also abound.
April volumes at the Port of Virginia in Norfolk were at the second highest in port history, right behind December 2021.
A 34% increase in retail imports is driving cargo volumes higher, SC Ports said.
Transport Canada’s proposed changes affect waybill reporting requirements for long-haul interswitching and they detail new traffic reporting requirements for smaller Class I operations.
The Surface Transportation Board wants Union Pacific, BNSF, CSX and Norfolk Southern to provide service recovery plans following reports and testimony about deteriorating rail service.
A hearing at the Surface Transportation Board raised hard questions that could influence the trajectory of the freight rail industry.
Higher revenues contributed to increased profits in the first quarter for BNSF.
Craig Fuller explains the impact of higher diesel prices on the U.S. economy and consumers.
Using data to optimize supply chain efficiencies can reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Customers are keen to lock in capacity for the year and mitigate risk, executives said during Hub Group’s first-quarter 2022 earnings call.
Canadian Pacific believes its acquisition of Kansas City Southern is still on pace to receive federal approval sometime early next year.
The operating plan, which builds upon the precision scheduled railroading-inspired initiative for NS’ manifest network, will be launched sometime late in the second quarter of this year.
“There’s been a big shock in the supply chains, and we’re working very hard to get our rhythm back and our operation back and to serve our customers well,” says new CEO Tracy Robinson.
CSX, XPO Logistics and AIT Worldwide Logistics were among several companies to make sustainability announcements on Earth Day.
FreightWaves founder and CEO Craig Fuller writes about the impact of Chinese lockdowns on global supply chains and the U.S. trucking industry.
The Coordinated Bargaining Coalition, which represents the unions at the negotiating table, panned the Class I railroads’ offer to advance payments amid stalled talks over a new labor agreement.
The Federal Railroad Administration has established a Climate Challenge initiative, which is targeting net-zero greenhouse gas emissions for the industry by 2050.
Class I railroads’ offer of advance payments is rebuffed by one union as contract talks continue.
