railroad freight

Jim Blaze explores the pontential for a merger or mergers among the Class 1 railroads.

Railroad volumes continue to drop. What might they do to increase volumes? Where are the volume increases going to come from?

Jim Blaze writes about the advantages to the railroads of rebuilding locomotives instead of buying new ones.

Like all industries, the coronavirus has impacted railroads. What should they be doing to gain market share and better serve their customers?

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic the Class I railroads were mothballing freight cars – and locomotives. Jim Blaze examines the issues surrounding the surplus of locomotives.

Customer service (in many forms) is the key to keeping and/or expanding business during the pandemic.

The pandemic’s economic toll has hit all sectors of transportation, including rail. Read how railroads can manage costs during this global crisis.

Transporting grain is a major source of revenue for the railroads. How will the coronavirus impact the grain market and the railroads?

Jim Blaze looks at the declining need for railroad tank cars. Why is this happening and what’s next?

Using shock recorders when shipping freight may help shippers and carriers better protect freight and assign fault when damage occurs.

The coronavirus is impacting all sectors of the economy, and railroads are no different. Read what expert Jim Blaze thinks will happen going forward.

Should the railroads pare the number of types of railcars? Jim Blaze explores this topic.

FreightWaves SONAR can help those in the freight industry stay current with what is happening in transportation and logistics during the coronavirus pandemic.

Are there too many railroad freight cars? Jim Blaze writes about many reasons why this is the case.

Jim Blaze writes about the outlook for intermodal rail in 2020.

FreightWaves Market Expert Mike Baudendistel writes about the issues impacting rail intermodal in 2020, and the ongoing battle between the railroads and the trucking industry.

In the past 30 years railroad freight cars have been able to carry heavier loads, thanks to decisions made in the late 1980s. Read Jim Blaze’s article about what happened and how it has been very important to the railroads.

Railroads once carried much of the fresh produce across the U.S. Can they do it again? Jim Blaze explores the topic in his latest commentary.

Jim Blaze writes about the transportation of hazardous materials by rail. Accidents have occurred, and the railroads need to continue to work to decrease their number. However, rail is the safest way to transport hazardous materials.

Jim Blaze explores whether the Class 1 railroads are downsizing their railcar fleets.