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!
Although Hurricane Ian dented volumes at Georgia’s ports, Georgia Ports Authority still saw quarterly volumes grow by 9.6% year over year.
A labor agreement with U.S. freight railroads passed the latest ratification test with members of the mechanical and engineering division of SMART-TD voting to accept the contract.
Canadian railway CN and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers members who are part of CN’s Canadian operations have a new labor contract at hand.
Despite reports that U.S. imports are slowing down, South Carolina Ports reported a nearly 11% increase in overall volumes in September year over year.
Labor negotiations and rail service issues dominated an otherwise quiet third quarter.
Members of rail union BMWED have rejected a tentative contract deal with U.S. railroads.
Railroad intermodal volumes are down, but consumer spending remains relatively strong. Carloads of coal are up, but forest products are down. Whether these volume changes reflect broader macroeconomic slowing remains less clear.
Canadian railway CN says it is positioning assets and adding more horsepower in order to keep the network fluid during extreme winter weather.
The Surface Transportation Board logged over 25 hours last week to hear from stakeholders about the advantages and drawbacks of the proposed Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern merger.
American Train Dispatchers Association members have approved the new labor contract with freight railroads by a 64% majority vote.
J.B. Hunt Transport Services said Monday it has expanded its transloading capabilities to include Seattle and Laredo, Texas.
Trinity Rail Group will supply a mix of 15,000 tank and freight railcars to GATX over a span of six years.
The ports of Halifax and Saint John in Atlantic Canada seek opportunities to bolster volumes and greening efforts.
BNSF is planning to invest more than $1.5 billion to develop a Southern California facility aimed at easing congestion at the West Coast ports.
Norfolk Southern names new leaders to transportation and network operations team. BNSF and California passenger rail explore green technologies to power trains.
Rail companies can save on labor by eliminating the conductor role. But workers believe it would make their jobs more dangerous.
Rail workers with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers have voted to ratify the union’s labor agreement with U.S. Class I railroads.
Patriot Rail Company announced it is acquiring fellow short-line operator Delta Southern Railroad.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin has introduced the Reliable Rail Service Act in response to calls from shippers’ groups and the unions to help restore the nation’s rail network capacity.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 19 has reached a new agreement with the U.S. Class railroads, one that modifies an agreement initially rejected by the group.
