John Kingston
Friday, September 4, 2020
Employment follow: A strong month for the logistics sector
Trucking jobs are up, but warehouse jobs are up even more
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!
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Joanna Marsh
Thursday, September 3, 2020
August intermodal loadings best in US since late 2018
The year-over-year growth comes amid reports of congestion at some West Coast ports.
Joanna Marsh
Thursday, September 3, 2020
Stakeholders mixed on new rail inspection technology rule
Railroads and union disagree over Federal Railroad Administration final rule enabling use of continuous rail inspection technology.
Todd Maiden
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Investment firms reportedly make new bid for Kansas City Southern
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that U.S. Class I railroad Kansas City Southern is in play again. Blackstone and Global Infrastructure Partners are reported to have made an offer.
Jim Blaze
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Commentary: Intermodal missed signals? Fumbling so close to the growth goal line?
Intermodal was supposed to be the growth engine for rail.
CN orders 50 electric trucks from Lion Electric
CN orders 50 electric trucks from Lion Electric Co. to support its intermodal operations in its largest urban markets in Canada.
Joanna Marsh
Monday, August 31, 2020
Railways see untapped potential in Atlantic Canada ports
Canadian Pacific and CN say the deepwater ports are key to gaining market share.
Brian Straight
Sunday, August 30, 2020
Settlement in $48.9 million class-action suit against railway suppliers approved
A district court judge has signed off on a $48.9M class-action settlement for employees of two of the nation’s largest railway suppliers that are alleged to have engaged in no-poaching agreements.
Chris Gillis
Friday, August 28, 2020
Storm cleanup to cause Louisiana rail shippers some delay
Class I railroad crews will spend the next two days clearing downed trees and restoring electric power along tracks in southern Louisiana.
Joanna Marsh
Friday, August 28, 2020
Progress continues on construction of CSX intermodal terminals
CSX expects the construction of two new intermodal terminals, one in North Carolina and the other in Ohio, to be completed in the first quarter of 2021.
Hurricane Laura hammers Union Pacific tracks near Lake Charles
Union Pacific reports serious damage to its tracks near Lake Charles after Hurricane Laura pushed across Louisiana.
Joanna Marsh
Thursday, August 27, 2020
Intermodal volumes prop up US rail traffic
Weekly U.S. intermodal traffic continues upward, but Hurricane Laura could threaten that trend.
Joanna Marsh
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
CN, Wabtec appoint new chief technology officers
Wabtec’s former chief technology officer departs for CN; Wabtec appoints a new leader to the role.
Joanna Marsh
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Class I railroads pressed about service, furloughs
The Surface Transportation Board and the Federal Railroad Administration administrator seek answers about Class I rail performance, while labor groups question furlough-related actions.
Joanna Marsh
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Bipartisan legislators unveil bill aimed at helping railcar manufacturers
The Freight RAILCAR Act would provide a tax credit incentive for railcar owners to upgrade or replace railcars to more fuel-efficient models.
Joanna Marsh
Monday, August 24, 2020
Class I railroads brace for tropical storms Marco and Laura (UPDATED)
The railroads are taking precautions to ensure their networks are secure ahead of two U.S. Gulf Coast storms.
Joanna Marsh
Monday, August 24, 2020
Environmental groups, states sue feds over LNG by rail
Environmental groups and several states have filed lawsuits against regulation governing liquefied natural gas by rail over environmental and safety concerns.
John Kingston
Friday, August 21, 2020
Drilling Deep: Efficiency challenges facing intermodal rail
With diesel cheap, the fuel advantage for moving a ton of freight narrows for the railroads.
Joanna Marsh
Friday, August 21, 2020
US Class I rail headcount rises for the first time since April
An increase in U.S. rail traffic pulled headcount higher in July.
Joanna Marsh
Thursday, August 20, 2020
US intermodal traffic higher for second consecutive week
Weekly U.S. intermodal volumes notched higher again for the second week in a row.