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!
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.
A Canadian whistleblower wants STB to press CP on how it plans to operate its private police force in the U.S. after its merger with Kansas City Southern.
Watco and Telegraph are collaborating in an effort to provide rail shippers with more information on where their railcars might be located on Watco’s network.
The hurricane could hit central Florida later this week, causing Tampa-area port facilities to brace for Ian’s impact.
AskWaves looks at what carbon calculators are and why potential and existing customers of freight rail might benefit from them.
Union Pacific and the Railway Supply Institute are among those forming partnerships, while the CREATE Program gets a $70 million federal grant.
In this issue of the WTT newsletter: rail workers still want to strike; Nikola’s Trevor Milton intervention; pre-trips go VR; best states for drone delivery
One additional paid day off and three medical leave periods are provided in the tentative rail agreement, but there are limitations.
FreightWaves founder and CEO Craig Fuller outlines how FreightWaves SONAR pointed to the global freight recession months ago.
Just because a labor agreement is in sight between the railroads and the unions, that doesn’t mean rail service will instantly improve, shippers told FreightWaves.
News briefs involving short line acquisitions, Class I rail headcount in August and rail technology developments.
Did you know that every 3 hours in the US a person or vehicle is struck by a train. It’s rail safety week and WHAT THE TRUCK?!? is here for it with Operation Lifesaver
On demand on WHAT THE TRUCK?!? J.B. Hunt’s Shelley Simpson on the road to becoming president, rail strike and more. Plus, Redwood, FreightVana, OneRail
In a Q&A, FreightWaves chats with Joseph R. Hinrichs, CSX’s incoming president and CEO, in the wake of the announcement that current CEO Jim Foote is retiring at the end of month.
Freight railroads are attempting to rapidly resume normal operations now that a deal has been reached to avoid a strike on Friday.
Rail workers haven’t seen the new tentative agreement that delayed their strike plans, but currently known details aren’t promising for some.
