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!
Economic uncertainties, including the prospect of a coronavirus-induced recession, could spur the railroad to update its 2020 guidance.
Office operations that remain open implement CDC guidance to protect employees from spreading or contracting COVID-19.
The midstream logistics provider and the on-site rail services company say their alliance will provide cost efficiencies at the first and last miles.
Canceled vessel sailings are resulting in too many intermodal containers at the ports and limited container availability inland.
The modifications include extra precautions that follow CDC guidance.
FreightWaves SONAR can help those in the freight industry stay current with what is happening in transportation and logistics during the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus has strained supply chains and had a huge impact on the movement of freight.
The $248.5 million in grant funding goes to support local and state projects.
Are there too many railroad freight cars? Jim Blaze writes about many reasons why this is the case.
Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific say they have contingency plans should the coronavirus threaten to disrupt operations.
The Canadian oil and natural gas producer cited falling crude prices as a reason for temporarily stopping crude shipments via rail.
The drop in weekly intermodal volumes in North America could be a reflection of the impact of coronavirus on the supply chain.
Ports authority braces for expected hit from coronavirus but still expects to finish the fiscal year above plan.
Industry group estimates farmers will face rail blockade-related costs of over C$300 million.
Global law firm HFW and Southeastern Freight Lines announce promotions.
The railroad installed its first-ever train inspection portal southeast of its largest hump yard in Georgia last December.
USD Partners and Gibson Energy will begin construction of a unit in April that will produce a nonhazardous heavy crude product.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announces Rick Cotton is under quarantine and some port authority staffers will be tested.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen wants freight and passenger railroads to temporarily alter their sick leave policies and provide stronger sanitizing materials.
The autonomous track inspection technology is mounted on a locomotive, allowing NS to inspect rail track in real time.
