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!
Biden’s executive order calls on the Justice Department to help regulators monitor pricing practices and anticompetition in the container shipping and rail sectors.
U.S. rail carloads showed strength in 19 of 20 commodity categories in June. Second-quarter intermodal traffic climbed 22% even with network congestion and equipment shortages as the backdrop.
A disruption to CN and CP rail service caused by a wildfire is putting the Port of Vancouver under pressure as Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd warn of delays and congestion.
Vince Paperiello has been named to run the multibillion-dollar unit. The business had been run as a group effort for two years, a source says.
NS is working to repair a defect that could affect over 5,000 chassis. The repairs come amid high congestion at terminals and intermodal facilities across the U.S.
CSX hopes an expanded application containing a more in-depth market analysis will persuade the Surface Transportation Board to approve CSX’s request to acquire Pan Am.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding $905 million to 24 infrastructure projects. Among those are a handful of projects that involve making freight rail movements more efficient.
The railroad is seeking businesses looking to develop industrial facilities on two sites in Texas and Montana.
TRAC Intermodal details in a case study how it partnered with ZIM Integrated Shipping Services to develop a dedicated chassis pool at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Federal funding and private investments lend support to the supply chain infrastructure surrounding the Port of Savannah.
Canadian Pacific and CN note the end of the public comment period for CN’s proposed voting trust, which would be used to acquire Kansas City Southern. But in order for regulators to review the voting trust application, the Surface Transportation Board may need to clarify further the parameters for gauging whether a rail merger is in the public interest, some stakeholders say.
May’s container movements at the Jacksonville port beat the previous record set in October 2019.
Monday is the last day that stakeholders can express their views to the Surface Transportation Board over CN’s proposed voting trust that will be used to acquire KCS. Canadian Pacific says it has the support of North Dakota congressional leaders, while CN touts support from Gulf Coast and southern Plains leaders.
Employment levels at the U.S. operations of Class I railroads were flat to higher from April to May. But year-over-year totals show a nearly 3% decline. Meanwhile, the Class I railroads say they’re actively hiring and training in 2021.
Canadian Pacific and CN each say they have the backing of Upper Midwest grain shippers as both seek to merge with Kansas City Southern.
CSX will be using Wabtec’s technology aimed at reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency for locomotives.
Truckers may be more likely to be involved in accidents at railroad crossings in the Phoenix area than anywhere else in the country.
The project to expand the Howard Street Tunnel has received federal environmental approvals, bringing the $466 million project closer to fruition. The expansion will enable the tunnel to accommodate double-stacked container trains, which could benefit the nearby Port of Baltimore.
The 32nd version of the venerable report waxes philosophical on why more, not less, logistics spending will be needed.
CN and Canadian Pacific are rounding up support for their respective plans to acquire Kansas City Southern. Regulators are accepting public comments on CN’s voting trust through next Monday. CN would use the voting trust as part of the process to acquire KCS.
