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!
Freight tonnage will grow 25.6 percent by the end of the next decade, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) predicts in its annual ATA Freight Transportation Forecast: 2019 to 2030.
The continued slump in U.S. rail volumes is putting pressure on overall North American rail volumes.
The railcar manufacturer and lessor has been tinkering with its designs for railcars to expand their volume capacity while also making them lighter.
Most forecasts have been conservative, but not this one.
Headcount continues to fall at U.S. rail operations as the railroads implement precision scheduled railroading.
Jim Blaze writes about FreightWaves SONAR and how it could be a helpful tool for the freight railroads.
A federal appeals court denies a request by rail shippers to form a class lawsuit, and U.S. Senators press the Surface Transportation Board to take action.
Grain may return with trade growth, but frac sand in structural change.
A new app aims to streamline household moves, plus China shipping empty containers to Europe and air cargo volumes drop again.
Ohio-based container yard/terminal management software system Depot Systems has today been bought by Sydney, Australia-based WiseTech Global (ASX: WTC) for an undisclosed sum.
The Federal Railroad Administration is asking freight and passenger railroads to apply for grants aimed at upgrading infrastructure or enhancing safety.
The July Cass Information Systems Inc. Freight Shipments Index sounded dire warnings for an economic contraction following the eighth consecutive month of negative year-over-year numbers.
Competition from other grain-producing countries weigh on U.S. grain exports – and on U.S. rail volumes for grain.
Year-to-date North American rail volumes fell 2.3 percent last week. But what about for the rest of the year?
The states of Illinois, Nevada and Washington are seeking to push ahead with state laws requiring a train crew size of at least two individuals, despite a federal declaration saying that such laws have been voided.
Volatility appears to be the only certainty for transportation stocks as trade concerns loom. The transportation stocks walked through a less than stellar earnings season, but renewed trade concerns has them bouncing about.
The announcements confirming Canada’s planned investments in rail infrastructure come as the country prepares for a federal election in October.
Multi-modal data and channel checks with freight brokers point to a good setup for peak season.
As railroads cut less profitable routes, shippers should learn as much as possible about railroads plans for future service.
But Japan’s biggest shipping line looks to restart Long Beach service after summer hiatus.
