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!
Hub Group believes “soft” intermodal volumes will begin to flatten out and that the 2019 peak shipping season will be similar to that of 2017.
Hub Group sees record earnings despite a “softening demand environment” and “increased truckload and intermodal competition.”
Train products manufacturer and supplier Wabtec lowered its sales guidance for 2019 but kept its projections for how much profit it expects to make from its operations.
Passenger train proposal asks for comment on freight requirements as well.
The record occurred despite extreme weather conditions that stymied rail shipments in February and March, as well as restrictions on Canadian canola exports to China, the railway said.
Greenbrier said the acquisition will enable the company to provide customers not only with direct sales or leasing options but also with after-market services. Customers seeking tank cars and covered hoppers will also benefit from Greenbrier’s expanded geographic footprint as a result of the acquisition.
Furniture-makers may face long slog in adjusting to tariffs on Chinese imports; Autonomous freight trains to be tested
Winchester & Western Railroad is being acquired by OmniTrax in a $105 million deal.
Indiana-based Steel Dynamics Inc. announced it will build a $1.9 billion mill in Sinton, Texas, about 25 miles northwest of the Port of Corpus Christi. The site for the new mill is strategically located for the southwestern United States and Mexican markets, the company said in a statement July 23. Steel Dynamics is one of the […]
Grain shippers say Congress should take a “fresh look” at railroad policy.
Despite uncertain economic conditions, Trinity Industries (NYSE: TRN) expects rail volumes to improve in the second half of the year, based on “healthy” inquiry levels for its railcars, company leaders said during TRN’s second quarter earnings call on July 25.
U.S. rail volumes fell yet again for the week ending July 20, according to data from the Association of American Railroads.
Owners of ships, railcars and trucks face increased risk from environmental regulations, credit rating agency Moody’s said. The value of $265 billion in debt owed by transportation companies may be in for a bumpy ride in the near-term due to the costs of meeting those new rules. But Moody’s said the transition should be manageable. […]
The Port of Los Angeles is a test bed for the latest in logistics technology, and a target for the threats facing that technology. To stave off those threats, the largest U.S. seaport is seeking bids for a “turn-key” cybersecurity center, “a first-of-its-kind solution that will help to reduce the port-wide risk of a cyber […]
Total company revenue for Trinity Industries (NYSE: TRN) grew 16 percent to $736 million in the second quarter amid revenue gains for its rail product group.
Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) expects continued operational changes will help boost profits and lower operating ratios in the second half of the year.
Low pricing will speed up Europe’s transition from coal to gas, according to Morgan Stanley.
There is some uncertainty for commodities such as grain, lumber, coal and crude, but Canadian National (NYSE: CNI) leaders are “cautiously optimistic” about volumes and how the company might perform in the second half of the year.
Norfolk Southern’s (NYSE: NSC) second quarter net profit rose slightly as the company prepared to launch the next phase in its new precision scheduled railroading (PSR) operating model. Net profit increased 2 percent to $722 million in the second quarter compared with the same period in 2018. Diluted earnings per share were $2.70 in the […]
Schneider wins award for security excellence, while US Xpress honored as carrier of the year by FedEx Ground
