Truck stops close shop ahead of Hurricane Laura
Logistics aid network seeking assistance from transportation sector.
Logistics aid network seeking assistance from transportation sector.
The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of FreightWaves or its affiliates. That search for modal share growth is still […]
About 25% of the total railcar fleet is in storage of one kind or another. Jim Blaze writes about best practices of rail storage.
The cost to build a railroad is staggering. Jim Blaze gives an overview of the costs involved in such an endeavor.
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.
The pandemic’s economic toll has hit all sectors of transportation, including rail. Read how railroads can manage costs during this global crisis.
The groups want the Federal Railroad Administration to ensure that railroads’ requests to waive certain regulations stem from a true labor shortage.
Transporting grain is a major source of revenue for the railroads. How will the coronavirus impact the grain market and the railroads?
The railroads say the coronavirus pandemic could influence their financial results in 2020, but how deep that impact will be will depend on how long the pandemic lasts.
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.
Import volumes are showing the first signs of recovery since the initial decline in early February.
Are there too many railroad freight cars? Jim Blaze writes about many reasons why this is the case.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen wants freight and passenger railroads to temporarily alter their sick leave policies and provide stronger sanitizing materials.
Jim Blaze writes about the outlook for intermodal rail in 2020.
Excluding coal carloads, U.S. carloads in February fell only 0.8% from last year, according to the Association of American Railroads.
The rail industry could see merger activity in the next five to 10 years should the regulatory and economic environment make them necessary.
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.
The rule, effective on April 3, addresses concerns of shippers, particularly those involved in paper products, steel scrap and agricultural goods.
Positive train control has been fully implemented on the Class I rail network, with 48% of the network able to communicate with tenant railroads.
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.
Canada’s prime minister calls two-week-long disruptions to country’s supply chains in protest of a gas pipeline ‘unacceptable and untenable’ as rail freight continues to shift to trucks.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance calls for an end to disruptions to Canadian National’s network as it warns of effect on intermodal carriers and the broader industry.
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.
Labor attorney takes issue with allowing carriers to keep accident evidence from being used in court.
The court ruled in favor of the Class I railroads and said SMART-TD must discuss crew size during ongoing collective bargaining negotiations.
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.
Year-to-date U.S. rail volumes are still sluggish, and the effect of the coronavirus on intermodal volumes remains unclear.
Jim Blaze explores whether the Class 1 railroads are downsizing their railcar fleets.
When responding to requests for proposals in the contract bidding process, rail and intermodal service providers should tout not only their competitive pricing but why shippers should diversify their modal options.
Trade uncertainties, softness in the manufacturing sector contributed to lower rail volumes in January.
Jim Blaze writes about the long, slow decline of coal as the key commodity for railroads, and whether plastics might replace the lost volume.
The railroad is reducing its capital expenditures budget for this year, but it will allocate more funding toward replacing and upgrading network infrastructure.
Members overwhelmingly ratified the agreement with Canadian National. The collective agreement will last through July 2022.
FreightWaves SONAR has new information for subscribers.
The drop comes as the Class I railroads look to the second half of 2020 for volume growth.
Union Pacific opens lanes, while Norfolk Southern talks lane opportunities to take market share from trucks.
Recent trade developments should help rail volumes improve, particularly in the second half of 2020, executives said.
Railroad giant Norfolk Southern Corp.’s fourth-quarter profit declined 5% as the company hauled 9% less freight, officials said. Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) reported its operating and financial results for the […]
Year-to-date U.S. rail traffic is 7.8% lower compared with the same period in 2019.
Employment levels at the U.S. operations of the Class I railroads hit their lowest point in years, according to data from the Surface Transportation Board.
Railroad expert Jim Blaze writes about coal, a key commodity hauled by rail. The amount of coal being hauled by rail is declining. Why? And what does the future hold?
Service improvements will help grow rail volumes and revenue, the company said during its fourth-quarter earnings call Friday.
Jim Blaze explores the decline of railroad freight volume and what may happen going forward.
Net profit for Kansas City Southern (NYSE: KSU) slipped in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to the prior year, but revenues were 5% higher amid increases for chemicals and […]
Net earnings fell 8.5% in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared with the same period a year ago.
Darren Prokop explains why Positive Train Control – a positive safety measure for “Lower 48” railroads – doesn’t make sense for the Alaska Railroad.
U.S. carloads and intermodal units are down year to date from the same period in 2019.
Improving rail volumes and service are among the crucial issues to look out for as the railroads reveal their 2020 guidance in the coming days.
Jim Blaze profiles TTX, a company that is essential to the railroad industry.
The rail equipment manufacturer and lessor has tapped a Caterpillar executive and Trinity board member to head the company.
Technology will have a key role, but how will shippers and labor benefit from the railroads’ high-tech initiatives, panel asks.
The Denver-based short line operator promotes from within for the new roles.
The bill would prohibit the transport of crude oil via rail if the Reid vapor pressure of the crude oil exceeds 9.5 pounds per square inch.
Railway Age reports industry veteran will lead the RSI Equipment Leasing Committee.
Association of American Railroads reports volumes continue to run lower than a year ago.
Jim Blaze writes about the key messages he extrapolated about railroading in 2019.
Wabtec says the $29 million acquisition of RELCO will expand its freight services offerings.
Railcar manufacturer says deliveries fell off from a record sequential quarter.
During the third quarter of 2019, the number of train robberies in Mexico rose 13% compared with the previous quarter, according to data compiled by Mexico’s Railway Transport Regulatory Agency […]
New hopper cars and a high-efficiency train model at some elevators help boost volumes.
U.S. rail volumes fell 5% in 2019 amid trade worries, a sluggish industrial economy and a significant drop in coal carloads.
Lower rail volumes, an active Surface Transportation Board and a strike were among the key events that the U.S. and Canadian freight rail industry experienced this year.
The U.S. operations of the Class I railroads continue to shed employees.
The volume drop has created ripple effects, including some lower railcar leasing rates.
The Federal Railroad Administration hopes to collect data on blocked rail crossings from the public and law enforcement.
Jim Blaze writes about the potential of short-haul intermodal traffic on the North American Class 1 railroads.
Kansas City Southern and Canadian Pacific deliver goodwill to local communities along portions of their rail networks.
Private equity firms are likely to continue M&As in freight rail industry next year and beyond, observers say.
Jim Blaze writes about the financial issues inherent in an Alaska-to-Alberta rail route.
The continued dip in rail volumes comes as North American freight rail groups press for trade pact.
Market Expert Michael Baudendistel writes about rail intermodal volume is lower for the long-term, or can it be more competitive with trucking.
Railroad market voice Jim Blaze writes about technological advances that are making railroads’ capital expenditures on infrastructure more efficient.
The funding includes $14.4 million to support CSX’s double-stacking efforts near the Port of Philadelphia.
The European Green Deal is looking to shift 75% of EU freight traffic from road to rail and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2050.
Stakeholders address the Surface Transportation Board, which is mulling over whether it should change the way it defines revenue adequacy.
Economic uncertainty weighs on rail volumes.
How the board calculates cost of capital is outdated. How much of an overhaul is needed?
The company sees the new facility as a way to expand and reach its manufacturing goals.
Jim Blaze writes about the decline in rail freight; is it a recent event, or has it been taking place over a longer period?
U.S. rail volumes are down, but don’t call it a freight recession, according to Association of American Railroads executive.
Teck Resources opts not to renew 10-year deal for the transport of metallurgical coal.
The rail regulatory agency says the changes would help make the rate review process more accessible and transparent.
Railway Age reports NS wants to double-stack its trains as they move through Pittsburgh, but residents in the north side of the city are stacking up arguments and fighting back.
The changes come as the railroad deploys precision scheduled railroading.
West Coast freight volumes have been robust in 2019, but empty rail containers signal that the balance is shifting east heading into 2020.
Shippers need to take heed of the Congressional push to allow Amtrak to sue freight railroads over on-time performance.
The notice of proposed rulemaking pertains to training for Class II and Class III rail employees.
CN CEO said railway is focusing on safety as it resumes normal operations after eight-day strike that rippled across Canada’s rail supply chain.
Headcount within U.S. Class I rail operations tumbles amid declining rail volumes and the deployment of precision railroading.
Rail executives discussed short-term strategies for growing rail volumes amid expectations that volumes won’t pick up until well into 2020.
The railway seeks to extend its reach to non rail-served markets.
U.S. rail volumes continue to slip as rail executives see muted peak season.
The strike, coupled with and trade uncertainty, could hit businesses hard, groups say.
The Federal Railroad Administration is proposing all states address highway-rail grade crossing safety.
Jim Blaze writes about the Alameda Corridor in Los Angeles, that takes some of the freight from the harbor to distribution centers. Is it still economically viable?