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!
Five people were killed and two injured in four separate freight train collisions over the past week, including incidents near San Antonio and Ypsilanti, Michigan.
A coalition of retail, business, and supply-chain groups is urging the U.S. Senate to act on a cargo theft bill passed by the House.
The Surface Transportation Board granted conditional acceptance of the revised UP-NS merger application. What does that mean for the proposed transcontinental rail merger?
Norfolk Southern promotes a new operations chief with a deep background in eastern railroading.
The Surface Transportation Board gave conditional approval of the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern revised merger application, but asked for more information.
The Surface Transportation Board accepted the merger application from Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, on the condition that the partners submit more data for evaluation.
Surging intermodal helps lift U.S. rail freight traffic to another strong week.
Union Pacific refuted claims by the top law enforcement officials of six states that it omitted key data in its revised merger application with Norfolk Southern.
A group of Attorneys General are again urging federal regulators to reject the application for the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern transcontinental rail merger.
An industry trade group says the new surface transportation legislation offers some rail-positive provisions, but expressed disappointment at inclusions favoring heavier trucks and expensive safety mandates.
The Railway Safety Act opposed by railroads rode Trump’s backing to be included in surface transportation funding legislation.
The CEO of Union Pacific said he is confident the revised UP-Norfolk Southern merger application will be accepted by the Surface Transportation Board.
OmniTRAX appoints VP of transload to lead its network-wide expansion.
Rail freight posted another positive week as seven out of 10 categories improved from a year ago.
Global logistics provider DHL provides the logistics support that makes Formula 1 races possible around the world. Traditionally relying on air, ocean and road transport, DHL has now moved the first F1 shipment between race locations by rail.
Southern California ports saw broadly steady container dwell in April across truck and rail.
BNSF has a new operations chief after Matt Garland lasted just five months as COO.
The House released massive surface transportation reauthorization legislation that sets federal spending for infrastructure and services across a range of modes.
Union Pacific filed a complaint with federal regulators alleging that BNSF Railway’s cancellation of certain reciprocal switching rates has significantly increased costs for grain shippers.
Industrial improvement led rail freight modestly higher as grain and chemical shipments topped volume gains.
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern defended their revised merger application, calling it “comprehensive and complete” while rebutting calls for its rejection.
House passage of a bill to fight retail crime won approval from a rail trade group, who called on the Justice Department to do more to fight supply chain theft.
Canadian National urged a U.S. regulator to reject the revised but still-incomplete merger application submitted by Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern.
Six people were found dead inside a cargo boxcar at a Union Pacific rail yard in Laredo, Texas, as authorities launched an investigation into the incident.
The latest jobs report shows a healthy hiring level for truck transportation jobs.
Freight on U.S. railroads from intermodal to grain showed breakout strength in the latest week’s data.
The Georgia Ports Authority has opened a new inland port it claims will convert 26,000 truckloads of freight to rail each year.
Amazon has opened its logistics network to outside businesses, a move analysts believe could increase intermodal volume while disrupting major industry players.
Developers break ground on a new Baltimore container terminal they hope will spur a sea change in mid-Atlantic intermodal transportation.
Union Pacific could walk away from its proposed merger with Norfolk Southern if federal regulators impose onerous conditions for approval.
BNSF Railway saw first-quarter profits strengthen on higher freight volume and more efficient operations.
The North American rail industry is at a crossroads due to reshoring and tech growth. This symposium provides a forum to align strategy, policy, and execution for the future.
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern say their updated merger filing to create the first transcontinental railroad makes an even stronger case for increased growth, lower shipper costs, and a more robust U.S. supply chain.
As Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern prepare to file an updated merger application with regulators, rival railroads have launched a coalition aimed at stopping the proposed transcontinental tie-up.
Canadian National said profits declined even as total freight moving across its network improved.
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association has appointed Justin Broyles of R.J. Corman as the new chairman of its board of directors.
Wabtec reported a rise in first-quarter earnings, fueled by robust sales growth in both its freight and transit divisions compared to the previous year.
Alameda Belt Line, co-owned by Union Pacific and BNSF, will negotiate for the contract to provide switching services to the Port of Los Angeles-Long Beach.
Freight infrastructure group’s board adds new member, re-elects four to board.
Union Pacific delivered record operating income and revenue despite weaker international intermodal and automotive shipments that hurt overall freight volumes.
Norfolk Southern said first-quarter earnings were slightly lower as winter weather woes and higher fuel prices hurt freight volumes.
Union Pacific reported first quarter income improved from a year ago as improved pricing and higher fuel surcharge revenue offset a narrow decline in carload freight.
First-quarter earnings surged at CSX on higher revenue and lower operating costs.
Intermodal freight rebounded in the latest weekly rail data to narrow the gap with year-ago volumes.
CSX has significantly reduced operations at its major Chicago-area terminal, and shifted most switching work to other carriers.
More than $2 billion in federal grants that have become a vital component of short line and regional railroad operations are now available.
Commodity rail freight is powering ahead of year-ago levels while intermodal traffic limps along in the latest industry data.
Shippers want federal regulators to disclose confidential terms under which Union Pacific could walk away from its proposed merger with Norfolk Southern.
Norfolk Southern’s Mark George says the acquisition of the railroad by Union Pacific will speed up the movement of freight and spur unprecedented growth across the U.S. rail network.
A rival CEO warned the proposed merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, if approved, would give the transcontinental behemoth a commanding 50% share of all U.S. rail freight.
A dormant short line rail route in southern South Carolina will see its first train traffic in more than a dozen years.
Norfolk Southern has been formally granted control of a Virginia port railroad by federal regulators.
Commodity rail freight continued to improve from a year ago despite weaker intermodal that dragged down overall traffic.
Analysis by the Association of American Railroads revealed that March marked a significant turning point for U.S. freight rail volumes.
A Maryland bill requiring two-person train crews could soon be on the desk of Gov. Wes Moore.
A key on-dock rail hub at the busiest U.S. port has effectively doubled the terminal’s capacity.
Truck transportation jobs reported by BLS are now less than they were at the end of 2017.
Norfolk Southern customer Mercedes-Benz is investing $4 billion in its Tuscaloosa County, Alabama plant by 2030.
Norfolk Southern and Jaguar Transport Holdings are partnering on a multi-pronged deal to grow rail-served and transload customers in metro Atlanta.
Freight on U.S. railroads was flat in the latest week data, as intermodal barely edged ahead of commodities shipments.
The U.S. freight car industry joined America’s 250th anniversary celebration, rolling out boxcars specially decorated to mark the semiquincentennial.
A Union Pacific executive disputed claims by Canadian National that it intentionally understated traffic it would take from rival railroads in its merger application with Norfolk Southern.
Autonomous railcar builder Intramotev announced that it has signed a commercial agreement with another major shortline railroad operator.
Freight on U.S. railroads stayed narrowly ahead of year-ago levels as chemicals and grain led carload improvement in the latest week.
In Maine, a rail services company is making plans to restart freight services on dormant lines.
Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena said his railroad will have capacity to manage growth from the proposed merger with Norfolk Southern, since UP has slashed the number of trains it operates on its system by 24% since 2019.
Danielle Spinelli’s CHP ride-along exposed massive organized rail cargo theft in the Mojave Desert. Broken seals and empty boxes litter the tracks as theft rings use slow trains, shoelace markers and on-site pallet breaking to steal millions.
Union Pacific unveiled specially-painted locomotives honoring the United States semiquincentennial and President Trump as it marks the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City is leveraging strategic initiatives to spur growth despite economic headwinds and trade uncertainty.
The Surface Transportation Board is asking Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern for more detailed information related to their transcontinental rail merger.
Intramotev, the technology company building autonomous railcars, said that former Chief Executive Ray Betler of locomotive manufacturer Wabtec has joined its board as an independent director. Betler worked as an engineer at Westinghouse, where he became the youngest head of engineering and later president and CEO in the company’s 120-year history. He joined Wabtec (NYSE: […]
Commodity and intermodal rail traffic on U.S. carriers turned in minimal gains in the latest week’s data.
Data on rail volumes, inflation, and manufacturing suggest easing inflation without a significant slowdown in economic growth.
Federal regulators denied requests from Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific to investigate service issues on a key rail route between the West Coast and Southeast.
Norfolk Southern and Progress Rail to upgrade 96 DC-traction locomotives to AC, part of a fleet transformation strengthening operations and supporting sustainable shipping.
Grain shipments posted another strong week as U.S. rail freight edged ahead of year-ago levels.
Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena responded to negative reaction to the proposed rail merger with Norfolk Southern, saying critics should look past history — and his own numbers — to see how the transcontinental tie-up will reshape the U.S. supply chain for the better.
Truck transportation jobs took a slight dip in February.
Intermodal trailed carload traffic on U.S. railroads in the latest data from the the Association of American Railroads
Railroads took over Capitol Hill for an annual lobby day, taking their plea for an increase in a critical tax credit directly to Congress.
Laredo secured the biggest share of Texas’ inaugural rail crossing separation grants, positioning the border hub to boost freight velocity.
Wabtec and Progress Rail settle a lawsuit alleging anti-competitive behavior in the rail locomotive market.
New Berkshire Hathaway CEO Greg Abel said that BNSF Railway must reduce its operating-ratio gap with other Class I railroads.
Freight on U.S. railroads posted robust weekly gains led by higher energy and metals shipments.
An Arkansas port plans to expand rail capacity as part of its multi-million dollar flood rebuilding project.
Jill Medeiros is the new Chief Administrative Officer for the railroad industry’s Short Line Safety Institute.
CSX Chief Executive Steve Angel says it should be no surprise that railroads are struggling to grow their freight volumes. “When you look around the world, there really isn’t much growth,” Angel told an investor conference in his first detailed public remarks outside of earnings calls since becoming CEO in September. China is no longer […]
BNSF Railway reached a five-year agreement with union employees at four intermodal terminals.
Cando Rail & Terminals is acquiring Savage Rail to create a far-reaching North American market in first and last mile rail operating services and terminal infrastructure.
Rival railroad CEO says the STB’s rejection of the initial UP-NS merger application shows the $85 billion deal is not a certainty.
A better than 1300% increase in grain shipments led a winning week for freight moving by rail in the U.S.
Norfolk Southern and CMA CGM are offering a new door-to-door intermodal service incorporating rail’s reach with truckload simplicity.
Union Pacific delayed its revised merger application with Norfolk Southern after regulators clarified data formatting requirements, its CEO said.
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern set a new date to file their revised merger application with regulators.
Rail freight demand hinges on sustained manufacturing, trade policy, and labor market developments, according to AAR.
A coalition of GOP Attorney Generals have asked the Department of Justice to review the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger.
The freight market has been sending mixed signals for months, but one trend stands out clearly as we move deeper into 2026: trucking spot rates have staged a meaningful recovery, while intermodal rates remain stubbornly anchored near cycle lows. Look at the data. Truckload spot rates (inclusive of fuel) are holding elevated around $2.80 per […]
Rail freight data showed a waiting game by U.S. shippers as commodity and intermodal volumes declined.
Union Pacific has again asked federal regulators to investigate Canadian Pacific Kansas City over its handling of intermodal trains on a key southern route.
CSX signed a $670 million deal with Wabtec to upgrade its locomotive fleet, the latest railroad to do so.
