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!
The Cass Freight Index sees sequential weakness in shipments but logs year-over-year improvement with expenditures data advancing.
CN has partnered with other organizations to develop a plastics resins export facility in Alabama near the Port of Mobile. The facility will open in late 2021.
J.B. Hunt issues intermodal service advisory as railroads BNSF Railway and Norfolk Southern implement gate restrictions in Los Angeles and Chicago.
Freight rail groups and others congratulate the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, on his nomination to lead DOT; also, U.S. weekly rail volumes rise nearly 5% year-over-year
Expanding what service and performance data Transport Canada collects could help demystify the freight rail operations, the agency said.
CSX is looking for customers interested in developing facilities at the 225-acre Columbia Tennessee Rail Site.
All 50 states plus the District of Columbia must now develop and implement safety measures for high-risk highway-rail grade crossings.
Superior market intel can be a game changer.
The railroad has named three locations to be part of its site-ready industrial development program.
The new rule takes into account recent technological advancements and harmonizes U.S. regulations with Canada’s.
The European Commission has released its Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy. Massive investments and infrastructure are needed to meet the EU Commission’s sustainability milestones.
Who will get to the front of the COVID vaccination line? Virtually everyone agrees front-line doctors and nurses, and people in nursing homes, should be first, but after that industry sectors are fighting over who is more important. Freight transportation groups say they should be in the top tier.
U.S. weekly carloads last week were only 1.4% lower than year-ago levels, while intermodal traffic is still experiencing double-digit percentage increases.
Train lengths, improving network velocity and coronavirus uncertainties are among the big themes expressed by Class I railroad executives at a recent investor conference.
Major railways are classified as leaders among thousands of companies that disclosed climate information to the CDP this year.
“This is one of the most difficult seasons we’ve been facing trying to move our cargo out of the United States,” says a California almond producer.
A cross-industry working group for freight rail cautions workers following three recent fatalities related to switching.
Alpenglow Rail is seeking customers for its new Port Arthur railcar storage, switching and transloading logistics park.
Important railroad customers are not satisfied with a business-as-usual case.
The GEODIS Women’s Network “is also intended to improve the reputation of the logistics and transport industry, a field traditionally dominated by men.”
