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 rail division of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers will ratify the latest tentative labor agreement between itself and the freight railroads.
Railcar manufacturers expressed five themes in recent earnings calls. Their consensus: There is still much to be upbeat about.
Agricultural shippers urge Congress to take action to prevent a rail strike while Canadian Pacific has a banner month for moving grain in October.
CN boasts record Canadian grain volumes, Watco completes a Texas terminal expansion, and the Association of American Railroads and the Intermodal Association of North America detail volume ups and downs.
FreightWaves chats with a representative of the rail division of the International Association of Machinists about the labor agreement talks with the freight railroads.
Federal board wants four Class I railroads to continue submitting rail service data that shows how service is improving.
Last week saw a number of updates on port infrastructure funding and terminal project statuses.
Concerns that not all of the unions will agree to ratify their labor agreements have caused rail shippers and other transportation industry stakeholders to push President Joe Biden to act.
Hub Group reported year-over-year increases in its intermodal, logistics and truck brokerage segments during the third quarter.
Canadian Pacific is working to ensure that merging operations with Kansas City Southern goes smoothly, officials said during the railway’s third-quarter 2022 earnings call.
Faster train speeds and shorter dwell times will open up network capacity for NS, officials said during the company’s third-quarter 2022 earnings call.
BRS follows the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division, which earlier this month rejected the tentative labor agreement.
CN expressed confidence it can handle any market downturns, pointing to areas such as grain and coal where demand strips away any potential macroeconomic softness, officials said during the railway’s third-quarter 2022 earnings call.
Freight projects get underway in Chicago and Laredo, Texas; CN beats its grain record; Patriot Rail appoints a new COO; and Canadian Pacific disputes a court ruling on an Alberta land sale.
FreightWaves founder and CEO Craig Fuller provides insight into 2022’s peak season.
Railroad Workers United recently adopted a resolution calling for public ownership of U.S. rail infrastructure. FreightWaves chats with an RWU member on why the group wants the change.
Rallying employees to serve customers better will ultimately help CSX gain more business, the new president and CEO said during the company’s third-quarter earnings call Thursday.
UP is keeping a “growth mindset” as it looks to 2023 despite economic headwinds and an unresolved labor situation.
The National Carriers’ Conference Committee signaled that freight railroads will reject the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division’s counteroffer on a new labor deal.
Freight and passenger rail carriers must develop actionable items to prevent a cyberattack from crippling the rail network, according to a new TSA security directive.
