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 Association of American Railroads has laid out initiatives the freight rail industry expects to take up to boost safety amid calls from federal officials in the wake of the Feb. 3 Ohio train derailment.
A study found use of hot-box detectors has contributed to a 59% decrease in certain train accidents since 1990.
“While the Railway Safety Act of 2023 has potential, railroad workers are concerned with what is glaringly left out of the bill and what aspects are left to the DOT and FRA to draft, implement, and administer,” said Matt Weaver of Railroad Workers United.
Three rail unions representing mechanical workers say BNSF violated federal labor laws because of the way it has handled the staffing for its locomotive maintenance program. The unions also argue that BNSF has been deferring maintenance and adhering to a minimum standard.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Railroad Administration will conduct investigations into Norfolk Southern’s safety practices.
Following two recent derailments in Ohio, Norfolk Southern received more bad news as a conductor died after a crossing accident at a customer facility.
Union members representing those working in mechanical, intermodal and facility management at Canadian railway CN voted to go on strike should talks between the parties fail to reach an agreement.
The Federal Railroad Administration collects a lot of data related to rail safety. What does that research show when it comes to the performance of the Class I railroads?
The New Mexico House of Representatives has passed a bill to require a freight train crew size of at least two members. The bill now goes to the state Senate.
Norfolk Southern has released a six-point plan that addresses how the railroad expects to improve its use of hot box detectors.
This AskWaves article describes the various stakeholders involved in regulating rail safety.
All seven Class I railroads have agreed to participate in a federal program in which workers can anonymously provide tips on operational conditions. The participation will complement existing internal programs at the railroads, says the Association of American Railroads.
Ohio members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way – Employes Division are concerned about the health of workers who responded to the Feb. 3 train derailment, and they disagreed with NS’ attempt to address automated track inspection during early negotiations over sick leave.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s probe of the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern derailment will include a close look at the protective housing covers on the derailed tank cars.
The Federal Railroad Administration and a bipartisan group of five senators aim to show their responsiveness to rail safety concerns via new initiatives and proposed regulations.
The Port of Virginia says it’s nearly done with its channel deepening project, which will enable the port to allow for two-way traffic of ultra-large container vessels.
The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a safety advisory that calls on railroads to evaluate their procedures for using and maintaining hot box detectors in light of the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern train derailment in Ohio.
Despite an increase in revenues for BNSF, higher fuel costs contributed to a softer operating income for the fourth quarter of 2022.
The Environmental Protection Agency will direct Norfolk Southern where to transport contaminated waste from the Feb. 3 train derailment amid concerns by communities in other states that it was coming to them.
Rail unions warn that revisions to a rule affecting railroad contract workers could be a step backward for safety.
