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!
A coalition of retail, business, and supply-chain groups is urging the U.S. Senate to act on a cargo theft bill passed by the House.
The Surface Transportation Board granted conditional acceptance of the revised UP-NS merger application. What does that mean for the proposed transcontinental rail merger?
Norfolk Southern promotes a new operations chief with a deep background in eastern railroading.
The Surface Transportation Board gave conditional approval of the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern revised merger application, but asked for more information.
The Surface Transportation Board accepted the merger application from Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, on the condition that the partners submit more data for evaluation.
Surging intermodal helps lift U.S. rail freight traffic to another strong week.
Union Pacific refuted claims by the top law enforcement officials of six states that it omitted key data in its revised merger application with Norfolk Southern.
A group of Attorneys General are again urging federal regulators to reject the application for the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern transcontinental rail merger.
An industry trade group says the new surface transportation legislation offers some rail-positive provisions, but expressed disappointment at inclusions favoring heavier trucks and expensive safety mandates.
The Railway Safety Act opposed by railroads rode Trump’s backing to be included in surface transportation funding legislation.
The CEO of Union Pacific said he is confident the revised UP-Norfolk Southern merger application will be accepted by the Surface Transportation Board.
OmniTRAX appoints VP of transload to lead its network-wide expansion.
Rail freight posted another positive week as seven out of 10 categories improved from a year ago.
Global logistics provider DHL provides the logistics support that makes Formula 1 races possible around the world. Traditionally relying on air, ocean and road transport, DHL has now moved the first F1 shipment between race locations by rail.
Southern California ports saw broadly steady container dwell in April across truck and rail.
BNSF has a new operations chief after Matt Garland lasted just five months as COO.
The House released massive surface transportation reauthorization legislation that sets federal spending for infrastructure and services across a range of modes.
Union Pacific filed a complaint with federal regulators alleging that BNSF Railway’s cancellation of certain reciprocal switching rates has significantly increased costs for grain shippers.
Industrial improvement led rail freight modestly higher as grain and chemical shipments topped volume gains.
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern defended their revised merger application, calling it “comprehensive and complete” while rebutting calls for its rejection.
