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!
Norfolk Southern and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way – Employes Division have reached an agreement for sick leave.
In this fireside chat for Global Supply Chain Week, FreightWaves’ rail and intermodal market expert Mike Baudendistel talks with Herman Haksteen, president of the Private Railcar Food and Beverage Association, about rail service issues and the rail car leasing market.
The Environmental Protection Agency has given Norfolk Southern a new order as the Ohio derailment cleanup transitions to longer-term remediation, and the U.S. Department of Transportation has given the railroads a list of what safety actions they should undertake.
Union Pacific reached sick leave agreements with the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers and the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen over the weekend.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and others have suggested the freight rail industry needs more regulation to ensure safe operations.
Four lawmakers from Illinois want the Surface Transportation Board to delay its decision on whether to approve the merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern because of their concerns about the freight rail traffic projections used in STB’s environmental review.
As the United States focuses on the disaster unfolding in Ohio after the Norfolk Southern train derailment, here is a look back at some of the worst train disasters in history. The incidents highlight the importance of safety and infrastructure.
The chair of the National Transportation Safety Board weighed in on misinformation surrounding the Feb. 3 derailment of a Norfolk Southern train.
Norfolk Southern’s CEO said the railroad will continue to support the town of East Palestine, Ohio, as the investigation into the train derailment from two weeks ago continues.
A rail shipper analyzed SEC filings and found four institutional investors own about 20% of three Class I railroads and classify themselves as passive.
There are no federal requirements on the usage or maintenance of heat-detecting devices that have helped cut down on derailments.
APM Terminals Mobile has begun a $60 million rail expansion project at the Port of Mobile, Alabama.
Trade groups are supporting the reintroduction of a U.S. House bill to spur the industry to produce new rail cars or modernize existing ones through a tax credit.
One analyst expects Norfolk Southern will pay up to $50 million following its Ohio derailment — about 1.7% of its 2022 profits.
Two groups within the International Association of Machinists and Brotherhood of Railway Carmen have reached sick leave agreements with eastern U.S. railroad CSX.
Norfolk Southern told the EPA other chemicals besides vinyl chloride were released into the local environment in the Ohio train derailment.
A report commissioned by railway supply manufacturers suggests that direct and indirect contributions by the industry to U.S. GDP exceeded $75 billion in 2020.
Ocean carrier Zim will increase the frequency and size of ships used for its e-commerce Baltimore Express service.
The International Association of Machinists and the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers have reached sick leave agreements with eastern U.S railroad CSX.
Union members are putting a spotlight on the derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in Ohio, with the Transportation Trades Department calling for greater safety oversight from the Federal Railroad Administration.
