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!
A Tuesday federal court ruling puts on hold the requirement that federal contractors be vaccinated against COVID-19 — and that ruling extends to Union Pacific, BNSF and Norfolk Southern.
GATX President and CEO Brian Kenney is retiring, and EVP Bob Lyons will succeed him.
South Carolina Ports experienced an all-time high for the number of containers handled in November amid higher import volumes.
CN and CSX received recognition for their action on climate change. UP has upped its targets and released a plan to reach them.
Two unions representing railroad employees want the federal court to make BNSF negotiate with the unions over implementing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
CNGmotive’s solution for fueling locomotives provides potential to decarbonize rail using renewable natural gas.
CN begins moving trains on the Kamloops-Vancouver corridor three weeks after flooding and landslides in British Columbia knocked out its main Port of Vancouver rail link.
The terminal says it has “abundant space” at the Millennium Marine Rail facility in New Jersey, as well as competitive import dwell time.
Freight railroads will need to report cyber incidents and take steps to improve security under a new Transportation Security Administration directive.
Norfolk Southern CEO Jim Squires is retiring in May 2022, and current Chief Marketing Officer Alan Shaw will succeed him.
Economist Steve Pociask opines on why he thinks the Surface Transportation Board should tread carefully when deciding how to proceed with the issue of reciprocal switching.
The Surface Transportation Board has adopted a final rule that addresses temporary trackage rights in situations in which one rail carrier needs access to another carrier’s track due to an emergency.
Wallace served as CSX’s executive vice president of sales and marketing before moving into an advisory role in July as he underwent cancer treatment.
Heightening the clearance of the Howard Street Tunnel will enable double-stacked trains to run in and out of the Port of Baltimore.
Canada’s supply chain is in a “crisis situation” as over 50 ships wait to dock at the Port of Vancouver and CN struggles to restore service.
Southern California ports and private operators are using carrots and sticks to help eliminate a massive pileup of cargo.
Picking transport stocks in 2022 will not involve a blanket approach, according to Deutsche Bank. However, there are still several companies with significant upside potential.
CSX and Canadian Pacific were recognized this month by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America for the ways they address environmental, social and governance issues.
Surface Transportation Board Chairman Marty Oberman is asking Norfolk Southern why service has deteriorated, according to shippers — and what the railroad plans to do about it.
Two agencies in Mexico have given their approval of the proposed merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern.
