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 U.S. Government Accountability Office’s report on precision scheduled railroading serves as a broad overview of how the freight rail industry has changed over the past decade.
A key freight rail bridge near the Port of New York and New Jersey is getting a replacement after 120 years.
The number of employees working for the U.S. operations of the Class I railroads rose 4.4% year over year in November. But some of the employment data submitted to the board should be provided in a more user-friendly way, an attorney representing several unions said.
Major U.S. railroads have pushed for years to eliminate the in-cab conductor role. But unions think the cost-cutting rule could undermine safety.
Miki Shifman, co-founder and chief technology officer for Israeli company Cylus, discusses the cybersecurity landscape for freight and passenger rail operations worldwide.
Pennsylvania has awarded $26 million to 24 freight rail improvement projects, while technology provider RailState completes coverage of the Canadian rail network and Alterra IOS acquires industrial facilities for $86 million.
The STB has rendered decisions on two rules aimed at helping the railroads and shippers resolve small rate disputes.
Following last week’s hearing on embargoes before the Surface Transportation Board, Union Pacific has decided to pause the program. Meanwhile, the board is considering what it can do to encourage rail volume growth.
Union Pacific has been recognized for sustainability practices. Commtrex and Railinc are working together to develop a product aimed at using data to simplify rail movements.
The Federal Railroad Administration heard starkly different opinions from some railroads and unions about whether the agency should mandate freight train crews of at least two people.
Shippers testified before the Surface Transportation Board on Tuesday about how embargoes affect their operations.
Class I railroads CSX, CN, CP and KCS tout recognition for their sustainability efforts, while rail technology provider Wabtec gets a nod for its battery-electric locomotive.
The unions and the freight railroads must repair their relationship and collaborate on improving service if the industry wants to thrive and take more market share, observers told FreightWaves.
STB Chairman Marty Oberman told UP it didn’t provide enough information on its embargo practices ahead of a two-day hearing next week.
America’s freight railroads descended into chaos this year. Their best way out might be reconsidering their operational style — but Wall Street might not approve.
Regional Rail, which is backed by United Kingdom investment firm 3i Infrastructure, is acquiring three short-line railroads from Agracel Rail Holdings.
Telegraph says $10 million in funding will help the rail technology company serve its customers better as well as reach its broader goal of making rail more accessible to shippers via data visibility.
Norfolk Southern plans to pursue other measures than furloughs to get through market downturns, and two activist investors press NS and Union Pacific to address paid sick leave.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has awarded two $1.5 million grants to projects that seek to improve or modernize short-line rail infrastructure.
Stakeholders are processing their responses to federal actions this week to avert a potential economy-crippling rail strike.
