railroads

Mexican railway operator Ferromex has halted key northbound freight trains due to migrants hopping aboard and being injured or killed.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City, CSX and Genesee & Wyoming railroads aim to establish a direct interchange connection near Myrtlewood, Alabama.

The Mexican government is offering incentives to attract investors to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec global trade hub project.

The Pacific Railway Act of 1862 brought about the first transcontinental railroad. Check out the photographs and illustrations that depict what it was like to work on the railroad at the time.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City is adding 1,000 refrigerated intermodal containers to its Mexico railroad business.

Railroads are making targeted investments, developing innovative technologies and evolving operations to combat climate change.

The endless stories that make up the history of transportation and freight are chronicled in some of the most riveting nonfiction books, but they almost read like novels. Here are the five favorites for the FreightWaves Classics team.

DOT wants railroads to take immediate actions to address safety

Fallout from Ohio train derailment calls to mind disasters from years past.

An economic study commissioned by three rail supply trade groups has determined that the U.S. rail supply industry’s impact to the nation’s GDP exceeded $75 billion in 2020.

This week in Borderlands: Exports of Mexican-built Class 8 trucks hit 15,221 in January; railroad cargo thefts drop 21% year over year across Mexico; fuel and lubricants distributor expands into South Texas; and rare insect intercepted in shipment at Otay Mesa port of entry.

East Palestine residents and rail unions face an uncertain future in the aftermath of a Norfolk Southern freight train derailment.

There are no federal requirements on the usage or maintenance of heat-detecting devices that have helped cut down on derailments.

The railroads must work with other supply chain stakeholders and even consider sharing infrastructure in order to maintain an integral role within the broader freight transportation network, experts said at the Transportation Research Board’s annual meeting.

Freight railroads face fierce competition

US Freight Railroads are the Best Rail Network Since the Staggers Act of 1980

The unions and the freight railroads must repair their relationship and collaborate on improving service if the industry wants to thrive and take more market share, observers told FreightWaves.

America’s freight railroads descended into chaos this year. Their best way out might be reconsidering their operational style — but Wall Street might not approve.

What’s it like to ride a historic locomotive? Go behind-the-scenes during FreightWaves’ ride on the No. 4014.

If a prolonged rail worker strike happens, expect cross-border commodities such as cars, auto parts and Mexican beer to be bogged down.

10 longest railway networks

Freight railroads and climate change

Members of rail union BMWED have rejected a tentative contract deal with U.S. railroads.

Outbound truckload tender volumes spiked this week out of Southern California, while intermodal volumes dipped due to a brief embargo. Could this be a result of shippers preparing for a potential strike?

The outlook for trucking companies buying new or used Class 8 trucks can best be described like a 2005 Facebook relationship status — “It’s complicated.” 

A nationwide rail strike has been averted as the railroads and unions have reached a deal.

Labor actions are creating great uncertainty for rail shippers in the U.S. and for air and sea cargo in Europe.

Billions in trade between the U.S. and Mexico could be affected by a railway strike that could begin Friday.

With a Friday deadline looming for some rail unions and management to make a deal, a shutdown is looking more and more possible.

Nine out of 12 labor unions have reached tentative agreements with the railroads, up from five last week.

Congress must prevent a rail shutdown. Otherwise, factories will close, food and fuel supplies will dwindle and inflation will soar.

Three more railroad unions have reached tentative agreements with Class I railroads on new labor contracts.

This week in Borderlands: Kansas City Southern set to build second rail bridge in Laredo; Texas firm constructing a truck and trailer parking facility near Houston; Omni Logistics opens new shipping hub in Dallas; and New Mexico port expanding with help from federal grant.

History of US Freight Railroads

Managing the Harvest Season

See current and future emission reduction technologies for locomotives

Railroad crews are facing “all-time low” morale. They could legally strike in July, worsening supply-chain congestion.

Peak season imports are expected to remain strong but rail delays require ‘immediate’ attention, says Port of LA’s Gene Seroka.

Comparing Amtrak and Freight Railroads

FreightWaves Classics profiles Kate Shelley, a heroine who saved many lives.

Canadian railway CN and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers have agreed to enter binding arbitration, putting to end a two-week strike over wages and benefits.

Making Your House a Home

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See how much fits on a single rail car

FreightWaves Classics continues its profile of the transcontinental railroad.

FreightWaves Classics profiles the use of Chinese labor to help build the transcontinental railroad in the 1860s.

FreightWaves Classics profiles the battery-electric locomotive invented by Dr. Charles G. Page in 1851.

How trains help make a car

See how much a single rail car can carry

Albert Gallatin promoted a national system of transportation for the United States.

Legislation aimed at easing transportation pain may have a chance of getting through Congress

Railroads used to carry the majority of U.S. Mail. Read a FreightWaves Classics profile of Railway Post Offices.

In Part 1 of this FreightWaves Classics article, the early career of George M. Pullman is profiled.

Many automation solutions companies are penetrating the industry to remove supply chain friction, improve efficiency and job satisfaction.

FreightWaves Classics profiles the career of Jervis Langdon, Jr., who worked in the railroad industry throughout his life.

President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation that authorized the transcontinental railroad. This FreightWaves Classics article profiles the impact of that legislation.

John Thomson built the Pennsylvania Railroad into the nation’s premier railroad. Read a profile of Thomson and what he accomplished.

Ralph Budd was a railroad executive, innovator and leader. Read a profile of Budd in this FreightWaves Classics article.

FreightWaves Classics presents a profile of the Lexington & Ohio Railroad, which was the first railroad west of the Allegheny Mountains.

FreightWaves Classics profiles the Cape Cod Branch Railroad.

The RFP process should be easier, vaccination mandates cause border woes, and the power of rail.

In Part 2 of this FreightWaves Classics article, the profile of refrigerated railcars continues.

U.S. freight railroads, on average, move 1 ton of freight more than 480 miles per gallon of fuel.

The efforts it takes to ship the great Rockefeller Center Christmas tree; rail is the new hotness in shipping; and why we buy so many presents at Christmas.

This FreightWaves Classics article profiles the St. Louis Southwestern Railway’s history.

Freight Railroads Keep American Moving

Freight railroads will need to report cyber incidents and take steps to improve security under a new Transportation Security Administration directive.

Read a profile of the Tennessee Central Railway in this FreightWaves Classics article.

Federal regulators will soon begin analyzing how transportation data sharing can move more containers.

Freight railroads are committed to delivering the best possible service product for customers and consumers

The Louisville and Nashville Railroad was a key railroad in the Southeast for more than 130 years. Read its profile in this FreightWaves Classics article.

Most major U.S. canals were built built during the 19th century. Read why and about the anniversary of the Erie Canal in this FreightWaves Classics article.

J.P. Morgan realigned the U.S. railroad industry in the late 19th and early 20th century. Read about the man and his business practices in this FreightWaves Classics article.

Borderlands is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: The TexAmericas Center looks to expand its rail transload business; Mexico’s exports of commercial trucks fell 11.3% in September; Bridgestone completes a $100 million expansion in Mexico, creating 150 jobs; and a cold storage facility is set for Southern California.

Congestion around the ports and drayage capacity issues are pushing shippers to use trucks more frequently while loaded container volumes dip. But shipping patterns are changing in more ways than just mode conversion.

The Chessie System combined three railroads into an effective system. Read about its history and what happened to it.

The Mobile, Gulf & Ohio Railroad is another “fallen flag.” Read its story in this FreightWaves Classics article.

Federal action addressing matters of concern in the rail industry, particularly regarding safety, seem to be an afterthought.

Part 2 of the FreightWaves Classics overview of the Illinois Central is presented.

FreightWaves Classics explores the history of the Illinois Central Railroad.

Cornelius Vanderbilt was a 19th century tycoon who built steamship and rail lines that helped change the United States.

The world’s 10 longest railway networks

Read Part 2 of the FreightWaves Classics profile of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad.

In Part 1, the beginning and expansion of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad is profiled.

Railroads are a responsible way to mitigate the transportation-related causes of climate change

In this FreightWaves Classics article, an overview of the Southern Pacific Railroad is provided.

FreightWaves Classics provides an overview of the Surface Transportation Board.

Truckers may be more likely to be involved in accidents at railroad crossings in the Phoenix area than anywhere else in the country.

The Chicago & North Western Railway is one of hundreds of fallen flags. Read an overview of the railroad in this FreightWaves Classics article.

Railway Express Agency was the forerunner of UPS, FedEx and other delivery services. Read about its history in this edition of FreightWaves Classics.

The U.S. Department of Transportation was created in 1966 and began operations in 1967. Read about its beginnings in this FreightWaves Classic article.

See why Freight Railroads are Separated Into Classes

The Kansas City region, with its centralized location, is becoming a prime area for commercial warehouse space, with KC Smartport expecting 15 million square feet to become available in 2021.