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!
FreightWaves Classics will present articles about key events, companies,, organizations, etc. from the history of transportation, logistics, supply chain and freight.
Weekly intermodal traffic is still higher year-over-year although on a sequential basis, volumes appear to be leveling off for trailers.
Market conditions hastened the railcar manufacturer’s decision to move all of its railcar production to Mexico, according to company executives during the third-quarter earnings call.
Management from J.B. Hunt sees the current inventory replenishment cycle sustaining a high freight demand environment through the first quarter of 2021.
A railroad from Mexico’s Port of Mazatlan to Winnipeg, Manitoba, would require enhanced container-handling facilities at both sites.
Canadian Pacific, CN, and the Canadian government are taking steps to ease the social and reputational risks, according to a Monday report by Moody’s Investors Service.
Loadsmart has added less-than-truckload (LTL) and rail services as the digital freight brokerage continues to expand its multimodal offerings. The expansion, announced Tuesday, allows customers to book shipments across all major transportation modes, building on existing capabilities for truckload, port drayage and transload. “Loadsmart is now a one-stop-shop logistics solution for domestic freight,” said Felipe […]
The Rail Pulse members control a potential car fleet universe of about 300,000 units.
Third-quarter revenue fell 14% year-over-year, parent company Berkshire Hathaway said. However, lower operating costs led BNSF to a sub-60 operating ratio.
XPO is `very comfortable with where we are’ heading into 2021, Jacobs says.
Jaguar acquires five short lines, while OmniTRAX readies more business-ready sites.
Rail jobs resume downward slide after increase a month earlier
With intermodal volumes growing in the third quarter and October, how will the railroads handle intermodal traffic in the fourth quarter?
Research on dangerous goods transportation is still ongoing, the agency said. The announcement follows an audit published last month that suggested that Transport Canada failed to fully implement several safety recommendations.
Exports drive Canada grain volumes higher.
A panel of economic experts weighs in on the future of the Surface Transportation Board and the rail industry itself.
Overall, there will be lower rail volume levels continuing into the first quarter of 2021.
The bond credit ratings firm updates its outlook for the freight rail industry from negative to stable amid rising rail volumes.
The U.S. Department of Transportation hopes the changes will help more short line and regional railroads modernize and upgrade their infrastructure.
A politician’s perceived influence over transportation policy may factor into who gets financial support.
