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!
Chief Innovation Officer Brain Hancock is retiring from Kansas City Southern, while Jason Morris will succeed Scott Weaver as vice president of labor relations.
The Cass Freight Index surged again in May with continued strength recorded in freight shipments and spend. While the year-over-year comparisons become more formidable in the coming months, the current supply-demand fundamentals are expected to remain in play for some time.
Adding or extending sidings, particularly on three key routes, will reduce delays and improve network fluidity, UP said.
Former Surface Transportation Board Vice Chairman William Clyburn Jr. recommends that STB approve the voting trust proposed by CN and Kansas City Southern.
The American Chemistry Council wants the Surface Transportation Board to look into whether operational changes and cost cutting exacerbated the rail service issues that chemicals shippers have been having in the first half of this year.
An intermodal container terminal in Alabama targeted for “earmark” funding would extend the reach of the Port of Mobile.
A trio of shippers groups, CN, Kansas City Southern and Canadian Pacific offer their takes on whether the voting trust associated with the proposed CN-KCS merger is or isn’t in the public interest.
CSX has appointed Kevin Boone as executive vice president of sales and marketing and has named Sean Pelkey as interim CFO. Mark Wallace, who was EVP of sales and marketing, will remain as an EVP as he undergoes cancer treatment.
FreightWaves recently chatted with Brian E. Gorton, Conrail’s new president and chief operating officer, to discuss his vision for Conrail and what opportunities lie ahead for the Northeast terminal railroad jointly owned by CSX and Norfolk Southern.
Transport deregulation’s long game has left much of the asset-based carrier field with few players. Will the cycle turn to usher in a cast of competitive newbies?
A tale of 2 job reports: Seasonal numbers are closely watched by economists, but the other measurement suggests some success at hiring.
U.S. rail volumes climbed nearly 30% in May from last year’s pandemic-induced troughs. Intermodal traffic has boosted rail volumes this year and could continue to do so in spite of capacity constraints at U.S. ports.
Consulting firm FTR expects railcar orders and deliveries to grow as North American railcar utilization increases amid growing volumes and owners seek to scrap less-utilized cars.
President Joe Biden’s budget for the Federal Railroad Administration supports funding to rehabilitate Amtrak, expand passenger rail service and provide continued support to grant programs.
The rail regulatory body sent several letters to Class I railroad heads last week, asking them to provide plans on how they expect to handle workforce and equipment in light of broader supply chain disruptions and anticipated service demand post-pandemic.
The American Chemistry Council, which represents chemicals shippers, wants the Surface Transportation Board to scrutinize proposed Class I rail mergers to ensure that shippers don’t encounter reduced offerings.
he U.S. Department of Agriculture is forecasting lower export volumes for corn, wheat and soybeans for the 2021-2022 crop year. The agency also expects record overall U.S. farm exports for fiscal year 2021. Also, U.S. rail volumes on a weekly basis were flat to lower from the prior week.
Federal prosecutors in Illinois have indicted six former railroad employees for allegedly fraudulently obtaining federal disability benefits.
CSX needs more data in its market analysis, the Surface Transportation Board said. CSX plans to resubmit its application.
To sweeten the voting trust application before regulators, CN and Kansas City Southern are offering to divest 70 miles of a KCS line in an area of Louisiana where both railroads have competing lines in order to create an “end-to-end” network.
