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!
Federal funding and private investments lend support to the supply chain infrastructure surrounding the Port of Savannah.
Canadian Pacific and CN note the end of the public comment period for CN’s proposed voting trust, which would be used to acquire Kansas City Southern. But in order for regulators to review the voting trust application, the Surface Transportation Board may need to clarify further the parameters for gauging whether a rail merger is in the public interest, some stakeholders say.
May’s container movements at the Jacksonville port beat the previous record set in October 2019.
Monday is the last day that stakeholders can express their views to the Surface Transportation Board over CN’s proposed voting trust that will be used to acquire KCS. Canadian Pacific says it has the support of North Dakota congressional leaders, while CN touts support from Gulf Coast and southern Plains leaders.
Employment levels at the U.S. operations of Class I railroads were flat to higher from April to May. But year-over-year totals show a nearly 3% decline. Meanwhile, the Class I railroads say they’re actively hiring and training in 2021.
Canadian Pacific and CN each say they have the backing of Upper Midwest grain shippers as both seek to merge with Kansas City Southern.
CSX will be using Wabtec’s technology aimed at reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency for locomotives.
Truckers may be more likely to be involved in accidents at railroad crossings in the Phoenix area than anywhere else in the country.
The project to expand the Howard Street Tunnel has received federal environmental approvals, bringing the $466 million project closer to fruition. The expansion will enable the tunnel to accommodate double-stacked container trains, which could benefit the nearby Port of Baltimore.
The 32nd version of the venerable report waxes philosophical on why more, not less, logistics spending will be needed.
CN and Canadian Pacific are rounding up support for their respective plans to acquire Kansas City Southern. Regulators are accepting public comments on CN’s voting trust through next Monday. CN would use the voting trust as part of the process to acquire KCS.
About CA$95 million of the CA$3 billion 2021 capital investment budget will go toward projects in Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba and New Brunswick.
Enstructure seeks to expand East Coast and inland terminal presence; Texas short line operator TNW and advocacy group OneRail Coalition announce executive changes.
Opposition to two-person crew legislation puts rail carriers’ economic interests ahead of the safety of the public and railroad workers.
Ocean carriers and Class I railroads both agree that chassis shortages are contributing to volume congestion. But solutions to relieve the congestion rely on multiple supply chain stakeholders, say the railroads.
CN continues to insist that it has widespread support for its plans to acquire Kansas City Southern. That support includes the voting trust proposal that CN would use as part of the merger process.
A G&W subsidiary has acquired a facility formerly known as the Port of Ivory. The subsidiary will conduct bulk transfer operations at the site for agricultural products and chemicals.
Wabtec and General Motors have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop and commercialize GM’s advanced battery technology and its fuel cell technology for Wabtec’s locomotives.
Ukrainian police arrest six alleged members of Clop, a notorious ransomware gang behind multiple cyberattacks on transportation and logistics companies.
South Carolina Ports is touting two new export facilities projects that will have access to the Port of Charleston: a production facility and distribution center for winemaker Gallo and an agricultural transload facility run by Northwest Grains.
