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!
About CA$95 million of the CA$3 billion 2021 capital investment budget will go toward projects in Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba and New Brunswick.
Enstructure seeks to expand East Coast and inland terminal presence; Texas short line operator TNW and advocacy group OneRail Coalition announce executive changes.
Opposition to two-person crew legislation puts rail carriers’ economic interests ahead of the safety of the public and railroad workers.
Ocean carriers and Class I railroads both agree that chassis shortages are contributing to volume congestion. But solutions to relieve the congestion rely on multiple supply chain stakeholders, say the railroads.
CN continues to insist that it has widespread support for its plans to acquire Kansas City Southern. That support includes the voting trust proposal that CN would use as part of the merger process.
A G&W subsidiary has acquired a facility formerly known as the Port of Ivory. The subsidiary will conduct bulk transfer operations at the site for agricultural products and chemicals.
Wabtec and General Motors have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop and commercialize GM’s advanced battery technology and its fuel cell technology for Wabtec’s locomotives.
Ukrainian police arrest six alleged members of Clop, a notorious ransomware gang behind multiple cyberattacks on transportation and logistics companies.
South Carolina Ports is touting two new export facilities projects that will have access to the Port of Charleston: a production facility and distribution center for winemaker Gallo and an agricultural transload facility run by Northwest Grains.
The Surface Transportation Board is accepting public comments on CN’s and Kansas City Southern’s voting trust proposal. KCS asserts its financial strength while Canadian Pacific circulates a union’s negative feedback on the CN-KCS merger.
Reducing dwell times for equipment and at the terminals is one way the Class I railroads are seeking to relieve systemwide supply chain congestion, according to executives at recent investor conferences.
Chief Innovation Officer Brain Hancock is retiring from Kansas City Southern, while Jason Morris will succeed Scott Weaver as vice president of labor relations.
The Cass Freight Index surged again in May with continued strength recorded in freight shipments and spend. While the year-over-year comparisons become more formidable in the coming months, the current supply-demand fundamentals are expected to remain in play for some time.
Adding or extending sidings, particularly on three key routes, will reduce delays and improve network fluidity, UP said.
Former Surface Transportation Board Vice Chairman William Clyburn Jr. recommends that STB approve the voting trust proposed by CN and Kansas City Southern.
The American Chemistry Council wants the Surface Transportation Board to look into whether operational changes and cost cutting exacerbated the rail service issues that chemicals shippers have been having in the first half of this year.
An intermodal container terminal in Alabama targeted for “earmark” funding would extend the reach of the Port of Mobile.
A trio of shippers groups, CN, Kansas City Southern and Canadian Pacific offer their takes on whether the voting trust associated with the proposed CN-KCS merger is or isn’t in the public interest.
CSX has appointed Kevin Boone as executive vice president of sales and marketing and has named Sean Pelkey as interim CFO. Mark Wallace, who was EVP of sales and marketing, will remain as an EVP as he undergoes cancer treatment.
FreightWaves recently chatted with Brian E. Gorton, Conrail’s new president and chief operating officer, to discuss his vision for Conrail and what opportunities lie ahead for the Northeast terminal railroad jointly owned by CSX and Norfolk Southern.
