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!
Market Expert David Faulkenberry writes about the increasingly important “final mile” and why estimates of its size vary so widely.
Canadian SONAR data show that trucks helped fill the void as rail capacity left the market – and then got a nice bump as it returned.
Shippers need to take heed of the Congressional push to allow Amtrak to sue freight railroads over on-time performance.
The notice of proposed rulemaking pertains to training for Class II and Class III rail employees.
North American Class I carloads increased year-over-year in week 47 on a favorable comp. The prior four-week average remains weak.
CN CEO said railway is focusing on safety as it resumes normal operations after eight-day strike that rippled across Canada’s rail supply chain.
CRRC Yangtze Co. Ltd., owner of 22% of Vertex, claims nearly all of the debt listed in the petition filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.
The implementation of Positive Train Control is the largest technology program deployed in CN history and they are already ahead of the game
Jim Blaze writes about the power and influence of mentors on a person’s career and life.
Normal rail service to resume on Nov. 27, ending a week-long strike that has shaken Canada’s supply chain.
Headcount within U.S. Class I rail operations tumbles amid declining rail volumes and the deployment of precision railroading.
Federal Minister of Agriculture suggests government would consider back-to-work legislation or binding arbitration for striking Teamsters members as disruption brings 37% in drop in Canadian National revenue ton-miles and worsening supply-chain conditions across the country.
The bill introduced by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) would allow Amtrak to sue freight railroads for not giving Amtrak preference on freight rail-owned track.
The terminal wants to be an alternative for those needing intermodal services to the U.S. West Coast.
Rail executives discussed short-term strategies for growing rail volumes amid expectations that volumes won’t pick up until well into 2020.
The railway seeks to extend its reach to non rail-served markets.
Transport Minister Marc Garneau insists that a deal between Candian National and Teamsters offers the best way to get trains moving again as walkout by 3,200 workers hits Canada’s supply chain and threatens the economy.
Moving to a fixed quarterly RFP program with brokers has added consistency, accuracy and reliability to Bumble Bee’s relationship with intermediaries
The railroad has completed the rollout of a cloud-based operational system.
The Blockchain in Transport Alliance announced it will participate in two blockchain proof-of-concept projects in the coming months. The organization’s working groups also provided updates on the progress of standards development at its BiTA Symposium Chicago on Nov. 14, 2019.
