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!
Canadian National named Patrick Whitehead COO and Janet Drysdale CCO, ending a split operations model; former co-leader Derek Taylor departed.
The American Chemistry Council has serious concerns about the impact to its members’ business.
CSX third quarter were dragged down by declining coal shipments that outweighed higher intermodal traffic.
CSX reported third quarter adjusted net earnings of $818 million, or $0.44 per share, beating forecasts of $0.42 for the eastern railroad operator.
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have set a date for shareholders to vote on their historic $85 billion merger proposal.
Rail freight trended lower in the latest weekly data from the Association of American Railroads.
While lower imports ease traffic at intermodal terminals, the ITS Logistics US Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index cautions the silver linings hide gathering clouds.
Canadian National Railway (CN) and Congebec have announced a new partnership to expand cold chain logistics across North America, unveiling plans to build a state-of-the-art temperature-controlled facility within CN’s Calgary Logistics Park. The project aims to bridge a long-standing gap between rail and cold storage, creating a more efficient and sustainable network for temperature-sensitive goods. […]
Intermodal traffic and carload freight were higher for a second consecutive week, according to the Association of American Railroads.
The owner of a popular online sneaker resale business was arrested for allegedly buying $500,000 worth of merchandise stolen from a cargo train.
New Federal Railroad Administration chief is a former Pan Am Railways president and fifth-generation railroader.
A regional railroad wants to redevelop freight and passenger services in an eastern Pennsylvania county.
The latest AAR analysis offers a cautious outlook after September rail volumes reflect the uneven pace of the U.S. economy.
Rail freight posted its third-biggest drop this year as carload and intermodal shipments declined.
Former Surface Transportation Board member Robert Primus on Wednesday sued President Trump, the rail board and its chairman, challenging his firing by Trump in August.
BNSF Railway states that Union Pacific’s deal to acquire Norfolk Southern will hurt rail competition, increase rates, reduce service, and likely lead to operational issues.
CSX named Steve Angel as CEO, succeeding former Ford executive Joe Hinrichs as leader of the eastern railroad.
With a new CEO, Ancora Holdings says CSX is now positioned to seek out a merger of its own.
Surface Transportation Board wants longer timeline to review proposed tie-up that would create first transcontinental railroad.
CSX has officially opened the Howard Street Tunnel after a clearance project that will boost container volume at the Port of Baltimore.
