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!
Joni Casey, president and CEO of the Intermodal Association of North America, announced Wednesday that she will retire at the end of 2024.
Canada Industrial Relations Board will determine if some shipments must continue even during work stoppage.
This week in Borderlands: Ambitious billion-dollar Tehuantepec rail corridor aims to grab more international trade; GrubMarket acquires Houston-based foodservice distributor; Production of Mexican-built cargo trucks rise in June; and Metrobi launches delivery service in Dallas.
The Biden administration is calling railroad executives to Washington to explain how they plan to reverse negative cargo trends and grow their business.
The Class I railroad, CSW, is now the fourth to become a member of RailPulse.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents rescued 23 migrants who were locked inside a train car stationed in Laredo, Texas on Tuesday.
A $73 million rail expansion at the Port of Los Angeles adds five storage tracks, new crossovers and turnouts, and a concrete rail bridge, among other improvements.
The BLS jobs report for June recorded a small drop in the number of truck transportation jobs.
The acquisition of Cincinnati East Railroad brings Regional Rail’s overall number of railroads to 16.
A possible strike by Teamsters Canada Rail Conference members is still on hold pending a decision from the CIRB, but union members voted to reauthorize the stoppage.
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against Union Pacific, stating that plaintiff Le’Mon Bass failed to substantiate claims of racial discrimination and retaliation.
Homendy says NS stonewalled the NTSB, sought to influence its investigation and even issued a threat in a recent meeting.
The NTSB Board also concludes Norfolk Southern and its contractors should not have decided to vent and burn tank cars laded with hazardous materials.
As the release of the NTSB’s accident investigation report on the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment looms, policymakers can take several steps to focus on rail safety.
This week in Borderlands: Private sector investment in Mexico $39B so far in 2024; BNSF announces intermodal logistics hub near Phoenix; Trailer manufacturer launches production facility in Eagle Pass, Texas; and Doosan Bobcat begins construction of $300M plant in Mexico.
NSF must pay more than $394 million for transporting oil across tribal land in northwest Washington in violation of an agreement, a judge has ruled.
The threat of a rail worker strike across Canada could be extended through at least mid-July amid stalled negotiations between Teamsters Canada Rail Conference and CN and CPKC railroads.
This week in Borderlands: Evans Transportation launches cross-border service amid trade boom; TexAmericas Center receives Union Pacific “focus site” designation; Chemvest Holdings US acquires Texas rail-served industrial park; and DHL Express expands retail presence in Houston area.
Costs and feasibility of CARB’s anti-pollution rule for locomotives was debated on Capitol Hill.
Another drop in truck transportation jobs in May means the total stands at the same level as it did in November.
