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!
Gemini Shippers Group, a non-profit shippers association that is nearly 100 years old, has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA). Read about Gemini and why it has joined BiTA.
Blocking railroad crossings in Oklahoma now could come at a financial cost for freight railroads.
In the longer-term, rail industry observers are waiting to see how and whether Genesee & Wyoming will be able to make the capital investments needed to maintain its infrastructure.
Canadian National announced record western Canadian grain shipments and a C$210 million investment to support exports.
Brian Aoaeh has written a thought-provoking commentary on the impact of climate change on supply chains, and what governments, companies and startups can do to mitigate supply chain disruptions.
Barge grain movements on Mississippi 85 percent lower than a year ago
FreightWaves, the leading source of news, data and insights for the freight markets, has acquired American Shipper, a leading news publication serving the global shipper community.
Jim Blaze writes about the movement of grain by rail. This is a huge business for U.S. and Canadian railroads, and is also critical to the export market of the two countries.
China has developed a prototype magnetic levitation train that can travel at a maximum speed of 373 mph, and is expected to go into production by 2021.
Top transportation economist Paul Bingham goes in-depth on trade war freight consequences, both pro and con.
Some members of Congress remain determined to address the question of whether having more crew members on a train makes that train safer.
Generic corn and wheat futures are up nearly 30% since May 10 on depressed yields and constrained transportation in the Midwest.
The Port of Brownsville recently received a key permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deepen the 17-mile Brownsville Ship Channel. Dredging on the $350 million project could start in 2020. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) permit issued June 6 is the latest step in the port’s effort to deepen the […]
Year-to-date U.S. rail volumes fell again amid a loosening truck market, receding floodwaters in the Midwest and overall economic uncertainty.
Intermodal giant sees rail and truck as better than option than truckload into
An additional $300 billion in proposed U.S. tariffs against China could result in lower railroad freight volume , but economic uncertainty and competition from trucks appear so far to be bigger threats for rail volumes.
Amendment would hinder LNG export plans by New Fortress Energy
UPS is hosting workshops to help women-owned small businesses gain access to global export markets.
Market expert Jim Blaze writes about the railroads’ transportation of fracking sand, as well as stone and gravel, aggregates and phosphates.
Should the Class I railroads see U.S. rail volumes sustainably increase, furloughed workers could be called back to meet network capacity needs, resulting in a bump up of headcount levels. But another factor that could affect headcount levels in the long-term is the deployment of automation technologies.
