Joanna Marsh
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
Schultz sworn in to round out Surface Transportation Board
Michelle Schultz’s appointment brings the board to five members, the full complement prescribed by federal law.
Railroad
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!
Read More »
Joanna Marsh
Monday, January 11, 2021
NTSB investigates fatal October CSX accident
The National Transportation Safety Board is looking into the factors that may have contributed to a fatal accident at the Acca rail yard in Richmond, Virginia, in October.
Kim Link Wills
Monday, January 11, 2021
Career Tracks: Dachser promotes CFO Eling to CEO
Dachser promotes Burkhard Eling to CEO; GlobalTranz hires Bryan Foe as SVP; the Containerization & Intermodal Institute appoints Randy Bayles to its board; and Illinois Railroad Association taps Michelle Kelm as executive director.
Ransomware attack hits short line rail operator OmniTRAX
U.S. short line rail operator OmniTRAX confirms it was the victim of a ransomware attack and data breach targeting its owner, Broe Group.
Joanna Marsh
Friday, January 8, 2021
Court sides with Union Pacific, thwarting potential strikes
A federal district court judge in Nebraska determined that it would be illegal for the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way – Employes Division to take action against Union Pacific over the railroad’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joanna Marsh
Friday, January 8, 2021
Union Pacific expects Q4 OR in mid-50s, details Brazos yard plans
A change in plans for the Brazos yard in Texas contributed to Union Pacific reaching an operating ratio in the mid-50s.
Joanna Marsh
Friday, January 8, 2021
STB, IANA announce leadership appointments
Robert Primus gets confirmed as the newest member of the Surface Transportation Board while the Intermodal Association of North America names Barbara Melvin as its new board member.
Brian Straight
Friday, January 8, 2021
Emerge’s Leto, marketing expert Pulizzi to keynote Sales & Marketing Summit
Emerge founder Andrew Leto and content marketing expert and best-selling author Joe Pulizzi will keynote FreightWaves’ upcoming virtual Sales & Marketing Summit.
Joanna Marsh
Friday, January 8, 2021
Rail shippers give policy wish list for 2021
Rail shippers discuss what issues they would like to see addressed in 2021. Among them: further action by the Surface Transportation Board and Congress on ensuring rail competition and adequate rail service.
Todd Maiden
Thursday, January 7, 2021
UBS 2021 outlook calls for healthy freight flows in first half
UBS equity research analyst Tom Wadewitz’s 2021 outlook calls for a continuation of healthy freight activity during the first half of the year with a little more uncertainty in the back half.
Joanna Marsh
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Greenbrier pins hopes on market recovery later this year
The railcar manufacturer sustained a net loss of $10 million in its fiscal-year first quarter, but it’s eyeing a market recovery in the second half of 2021.
Joanna Marsh
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
US energy consumption from renewables poised to outpace coal
Falling U.S. coal carload volumes reflect the decline of U.S. energy consumption of power generated by coal. Also, U.S. intermodal traffic offset volume losses in 2020.
Jim Blaze
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Commentary: Rail chemicals’ 2021 rebound
Momentum for increasing railroad chemical traffic should continue in 2021.
Joanna Marsh
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Rail Roundup: Lineage, Patriot make acquisitions; CP, CN set records
Acquisitions and record Canadian grain loadings round out rail news
Joanna Marsh
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
BNSF, Wabtec put battery-electric locomotive to the test
BNSF and Wabtec conduct advanced tests on a battery-electric locomotive by putting it in service in California with two Tier 4 diesel locomotives.
Todd Maiden
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Transportation capacity loosens modestly in December, rates remain elevated
While the pace of growth in the supply chain cooled during December, transportation and warehouse capacity remains tight and prices are high.
Noi Mahoney
Monday, January 4, 2021
185 Texas workers laid off from metal supplier
Missouri-based Boomerang Tube lays off 185 workers from its manufacturing operation in Liberty, Texas.
Noi Mahoney
Monday, January 4, 2021
Train carrying Volkswagen vehicles sabotaged in Mexico
A train carrying more than 160 Volkswagen vehicles was derailed in Mexico last week by thieves, according to Mexican authorities.
John Gallagher
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Regulators: Railroads beat deadline for anti-crash technology rollout
FRA announces the full implementation of PTC as well as interoperability among competing railroads.
Todd Maiden
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
GATX picks up 18,000 tank containers in latest deal
Railcar lessor GATX acquires tank container lessor Trifleet in 175 million euro deal.