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!
“In 2020 both governments expect to implement low-cost, high-impact strategies to simplify customs and immigration screening and reduce wait times,” the U.S. State Department said.
Excluding coal carloads, U.S. carloads in February fell only 0.8% from last year, according to the Association of American Railroads.
The 2019 Protecting America’s Food and Agriculture Act provides funding to help Customs and Border Protection close a shortfall among its agriculture specialist ranks over the next three years.
Canadian National CEO JJ Ruest still expects the company will meet 2020 targets despite a significant hit from rail blockades.
With the possibility of rail blockades fading, the railway is seeking to ramp up its eastern operations again after it had shut them down for roughly two weeks because of protests.
William J. Flynn was formerly CEO of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, and his leadership experience spans the air cargo, freight railroad and maritime industries.
The tentative agreement could help bring an end to protests on the country’s freight transportation network.
The rail industry could see merger activity in the next five to 10 years should the regulatory and economic environment make them necessary.
FreightWaves Market Expert Mike Baudendistel writes about the issues impacting rail intermodal in 2020, and the ongoing battle between the railroads and the trucking industry.
The rule, effective on April 3, addresses concerns of shippers, particularly those involved in paper products, steel scrap and agricultural goods.
Positive train control has been fully implemented on the Class I rail network, with 48% of the network able to communicate with tenant railroads.
The National Treasury Employees Union tells House appropriators that Customs and Border Protection requires an additional 1,100 officers and staff to carry out its mission at the nation’s ports of entry.
Details are skimpy at this point, but a lot more refiners are going to need to account for ethanol somehow in their operations.
2019’s $1.2 billion in investments spans consumer, agricultural, industrial products industries
Global market uncertainty weighed down Canada’s largest container port in second half of 2019.
FreightCar America’s fourth-quarter results highlight the weakened railcar demand environment.
U.S. rail traffic maintains its slump for another week
Harbor commissions sign agreement to collaborate on common issues.
Law enforcement may have broken up protesters’ rail blockade near Belleville, Ontario, but it’s uncertain when freight rail operations will return to normal. Stakeholders along Canada’s supply chain are also still jittery over the potential for additional blockades.
In the past 30 years railroad freight cars have been able to carry heavier loads, thanks to decisions made in the late 1980s. Read Jim Blaze’s article about what happened and how it has been very important to the railroads.
