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!
The Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO wants Congress to pass a rail safety bill that addresses train crew sizes, train lengths and inspection times.
Kennan Beard, president of the California Short Line Railroad Association and president and CEO of the Sierra Northern Railway, talks to FreightWaves about why he thinks CARB’s new regulation governing locomotive emissions isn’t well thought out.
Intramotev will use the $200,000 grant to test and deploy three self-propelled rail cars in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in late 2023.
A hearing held by the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on freight rail supply chain challenges focused on a range of topics.
The Senate Commerce Committee passed the Railway Safety Act, sending the bill to the Senate floor for a vote. But will it have smooth sailing?
Canadian Pacific Kansas City is building its intermodal service between points in the U.S. Midwest and Mexico, announcing a new daily service that aims to take away market share from trucks.
Fuels feedstock manufacturer Oleo-X has a new production facility on CSX’s network in Mississippi.
Higher expenses and lower carload volumes contributed to a year-over-year dip in BNSF’s net profits for the first quarter.
Union Pacific wants a federal court to review STB’s approval of the merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern.
Shippers want Congress to expand FMC’s power over rail storage fees, but shipping lines say the power is already in the hands of the STB.
Truck transportation jobs rose in April, defying the worst forecasts from the freight recession.
CPKC and Canadian coal producer Teck Resources’ new service agreement includes a pilot program in which CPKC will test out its hydrogen locomotives to transport Teck’s coal.
Reduced North American rail traffic isn’t dampening the outlook for these rail equipment manufacturers and rail car lessors.
In the wake of the East Palestine train derailment, Congress is poised to take action to improve rail safety. Here’s how they can do it.
Union Pacific, BNSF and Norfolk Southern need to go further in improving rail service, according to a Surface Transportation Board decision requiring the railroads to submit service performance reports.
Maritime and logistics services company Crowley and Canadian railway CN have joined in a new service that will connect Canada, the Midwest and the Gulf Coast of Mexico.
Union members working for CSX and CN said they have ratified labor agreements with their employers.
FreightWaves discussed with Railroad Workers United organizer Ron Kaminkow what craft union employees need from the railroads to improve morale.
Norfolk Southern and SMART-TD, the union group representing train conductors that work at NS, have reached a tentative agreement that addresses scheduling issues and sick leave.
The impact of the movement of trade to the East Coast and Gulf ports can no longer be denied in the railroad data.
