Jim Blaze
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Commentary: Looking at PSR again
Are the railroads following Hunter Harrison’s PSR directives? Railroad expert Jim Blaze explores the topic.
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, May 14, 2020
OmniTRAX’s Winchester and Western readies commercial development sites in West Virginia
OmniTRAX is looking for interested parties seeking to develop commercial facilities along its West Virginia rail lines.
Joanna Marsh
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Double-digit percentage declines persist for US rail volumes
The Class I railroads’ expectations that the second quarter could be rough volume-wise are ringing true.
Joanna Marsh
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
US law trumps Washington state’s crude-by-rail restrictions, federal agency finds
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has determined that existing federal laws preempt a state law that restricted the rail transport of crude oils exceeding a certain vapor pressure limit.
FreightWaves Staff
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Short-line railroads offer an appealing investment opportunity even amid pandemic
Private equity funds and other investors are scouring 35,000 miles of North American short-line rail track for deals even as the industry sees one of the biggest volume drops since 2008.
Joanna Marsh
Monday, May 11, 2020
FreightCar America anticipates challenging headwinds
The manufacturer is still producing new railcars but expects market conditions to be rough for a while.
FreightWaves Staff
Monday, May 11, 2020
Lack of cybersecurity exposes rail freight to attacks, says startup CEO
Inadequate cybersecurity will allow attackers to hack into railway systems and stop trains, causing massive disruption to freight movement.
Joanna Marsh
Sunday, May 10, 2020
North American rail volumes could dip in the double digits
Moody’s says rail volumes could slip 15% or more in 2020. Meanwhile, IANA confirms declines in international intermodal volumes in the first quarter.
Clarissa Hawes
Sunday, May 10, 2020
Union Pacific shutters operation of multimodal service Cold Connect
Union Pacific shutters Cold Connect, citing low freight rates and consumers purchasing shelf-stable items instead of fresh produce amid the coronavirus pandemic.
John Kingston
Friday, May 8, 2020
BLS report: Six years of trucking sector job gains have disappeared
The number of employed is down to 2014 levels.
Joanna Marsh
Thursday, May 7, 2020
US rail volumes fell over 20% in April
The COVID-19 pandemic sent U.S. rail volumes tumbling last month. But now, stakeholders are looking at the shape and scope of an eventual recovery.
Joanna Marsh
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Canada’s Class I railroads ship record grain volumes in April
The coronavirus pandemic didn’t slow grain movement.
Joanna Marsh
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
COVID-19 pandemic threatens positive train control implementation
The pandemic is exacerbating existing problems with vendors and software installation, according to a federal report.
Joanna Marsh
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Shippers approve of Surface Transportation Board’s decisions
Some shipping groups say the Board’s recent actions on demurrage and accessorial charges will help bring about more productive rail rate disputes.
Joanna Marsh
Monday, May 4, 2020
GATX open to acquiring more railcars
The railcar lessor is looking for further add-ons to its fleet as competitors face pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic and the volatile crude oil market.
Joanna Marsh
Monday, May 4, 2020
Wabtec anticipates volume recovery later this year
Multimillion-dollar backlog will help the rail equipment and locomotive manufacturer stay afloat, executives said.
Chris Gillis
Monday, May 4, 2020
FMC urges Congress to aid distressed US box terminals
U.S. Federal Maritime Commission asks lawmakers to consider “financial bridge” to help container terminals make their lease payments.
Joanna Marsh
Monday, May 4, 2020
BNSF’s first-quarter net earnings slip on lower revenues and carload volumes
The COVID-19 pandemic dented volume growth in the first quarter for the privately owned railroad.
Jim Blaze
Monday, May 4, 2020
Commentary: When will PSR-driven volume and service growth emerge?
Like all industries, the coronavirus has impacted railroads. What should they be doing to gain market share and better serve their customers?
Joanna Marsh
Sunday, May 3, 2020
Departments of Transportation, Energy wary of setting new crude-by-rail rules
The agencies’ report, which uses findings from Sandia National Laboratories, says a crude oil’s vapor pressure shouldn’t factor into deciding whether certain types of crude oil can be transported via rail.