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!
Weekly U.S. rail traffic posted a 5.5% gain from the year-ago period as coal and grain led commodity gainers, according to the Association of American Railroads.
CSX is using fewer trains to move more tonnage in 2025, CFO Sean Pelkey said.
Norfolk Southern said it is not out of the ordinary for the Justice Department to look into a case involving antitrust allegations by fellow Class I railroad CSX.
Deutsche Bank relaunched coverage of the transportation space on Friday with a strong bias toward companies most likely to benefit from a pickup in the industrial economy.
The Justice Department is investigating Norfolk Southern and Virginia terminal railroad Norfolk & Portsmouth Belt Line for alleged anticompetitive conduct against CSX.
Railroad holding company Watco is adding Great Lakes Central to its network of shortline railroads.
Commodities were narrowly ahead in weekly U.S. rail traffic, according to the Association of American Railroads.
The Belt Railway of Chicago has appointed former CN and CP executive Jerry Peck as president and general manager.
Theft of cargo cost Class I railroads more than $100 million in 2024, according to the Association of American Railroads.
CSX announced that members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers ratified a new five-year agreement.
Canadian National Railway and Iowa Northern Railway have officially joined operations.
The early-year supply chain lull swept rail freight in the latest carload data from the Association of American Railroads.
Railroads are weighing the uncertainty of President Trump’s proposed tariffs and foresee a moderate cross-border impact, executives told an investor conference.
BNSF’s saw fourth quarter revenue decline primarily due to a 6.6% drop in average revenue per carload.
A debt issuance by shortline operator Patriot Rail provides a look into its finances.
Railcar builder Trinity Industries saw fourth-quarter profit decline on lower deliveries despite improved lease rates.
Trains are rolling again on Norfolk Southern’s Heartland Corridor after flooding hit parts of West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia and Ohio.
Union Pacific will lease 1.25 miles of trackage in Kansas City, Missouri, to a new Jaguar Transport short line in March.
Carload volume on U.S. railroads for the week ending Feb. 15 finished narrowly ahead of the same period in 2024.
A new study by the Federal Railroad Administration proposes dual-mode locomotives to help railroads save money in the switch to electric power.
