Railroad

J.B. Hunt Transport Services is hopeful that Western rail service will improve, allowing it to layer higher contract pricing across record intermodal volumes.

While railroads for years have talked about growth, the head of a major short line says it’s high time they embraced enterprisewide technology that’s reshaping the transportation industry.

At a leading rail conference, two railroad CEOs seek to define what service is all about.

The U.S. Class I railroads have turned the corner on service and resiliency and are poised for volume growth for the first time in years.

The Surface Transportation Board has taken Union Pacific to task for an ongoing lack of cooperation in a new decision on the railroad’s effort to construct a 6-mile rail line in Arizona’s Maricopa and Pinal counties.

Norfolk Southern will add a new member to its board of directors — the 14th overall and 13th independent director — under a “cooperation agreement” with shareholder Ancora Holdings, NS announced Thursday.

U.S. rail traffic continued its pattern for most of 2024 in the week ending Nov. 9, with strong intermodal growth leading to an overall gain compared to 2023.

Smaller railroads have received $2.6 billion for more than 220 projects since the inception of the Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement grant program.

Market demand for a range of railcar types boosted revenue and deliveries for FreightCar America in the third quarter, and the builder revised its guidance upward for fiscal 2024.

Schneider National announced it will begin an intermodal service connecting Mexico and Texas with the U.S. Southeast next month.

BNSF Railway, CSX, and Union Pacific filed lawsuits against the Federal Railroad Administration today for its failure to act on a half dozen safety waiver requests that in some cases would allow railroads to scale back visual inspections in areas where they have deployed new high-tech train and track inspection systems.

The Transportation Security Administration has proposed a rule that would require cybersecurity risk management and reporting requirements for some freight and passenger railroads, as well as rail transportation.

Propelled by a big jump in intermodal traffic, weekly U.S. rail traffic had its biggest gain in seven weeks over the period ending Nov. 2.

As the Senate shifts toward the right, rail safety could have a different future, especially as the pending rail safety legislation did not secure enough votes to continue. But experts believe there are a few items that could be considered.

In the wake of the disastrous hazardous materials derailment last year in East Palestine, Ohio, the Federal Railroad Administration has repeatedly said it’s doing everything it can to improve rail safety.

BNSF Railway’s profits, revenue and volume all increased for the third quarter, thanks to surging intermodal and agricultural shipments.

A dispute over terminal automation will halt freight moving through the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert, British Columbia, and disrupt U.S.-bound intermodal rail shipments.

The number of truck transportation jobs in the U.S., as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is only slightly off from where it was a year ago.

Trinity Industries, which builds tank cars, covered hoppers and other freight cars saw lower revenue but higher profits on better railcar lease rates and improved efficiencies.

The builder of autoracks, intermodal stack cars and other railcars turned in a strong finish to fiscal 2024 despite challenges in the North American market.

A total of 122 projects in 41 states and the District of Columbia have been named recipients in the Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program.

International container volume gains more than doubled domestic traffic in the third quarter, according to the Intermodal Association of North America.

Overall volume helped maritime terminals of the Georgia Ports Authority to their second-busiest September on record.

Despite a first-half lull in domestic network demand for logistics services, the world’s largest forwarder saw overall volume growth in the third quarter.

BNSF Railway and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers have reached a tentative agreement on a five-year contract, while the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers has ratified its agreement with the railroad.

In the first episode of the new Bring It Home podcast, co-hosts Craig Fuller and JP Hampstead speak with Dunavant Enterprises CEO Bill Dunavant about the future of Memphis Tennessee as “America’s supply chain capital.”

An arbitrator has been appointed to oversee contract negotiations between Canadian Pacific Kansas City and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.

CN and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference have scheduled mediation for early 2025 as the sides move closer to a new collective bargaining agreement.

U.S. weekly rail traffic showed a modest gain for the week ending Oct. 19, 2024.

Union Pacific Corp. in the third quarter saw double-digit gains for income and earnings on modest carload volume improvement and lower fuel prices.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s third-quarter profits and revenue increased despite the impact of the four-day work stoppage in Canada, the railway reported on Wednesday.

CPKC saw single-digit gains in freight volumes in the third quarter, but the operating ratio climbed as a brief lockout of union employees hit network operations.

CSX Transportation has reached new tentative five-year deals with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Conference of Firemen & Oilers. The railroad also announced ratification of an agreement with yardmasters represented by the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division.

Canadian National Railway posted third-quarter revenue slightly better than a year ago as operations appeared fully recovered from destructive wildfires and a labor dispute that briefly shut down the railroad.

Norfolk Southern has reached a tentative five-year agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the railroad announced Tuesday. The agreement, subject to ratification, means the railroad has tentative deals with approximately 67% of its union workforce.

Norfolk Southern delivered significant gains in earnings and operating ratio during 2024’s third quarter, with new CEO Mark George noting the railroad is “continuing to close the margin gap” with its peers.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) posted third-quarter earnings from rail operations of $1.6 billion, along with an operating ratio of 47.7% and diluted earnings per share of $4.85, the railroad announced Tuesday. 

An early peak shipping season, strong economy and resilient consumer spending boosted container volume to a record quarter at the Port of Los Angeles.

Port-owned New Orleans Public Belt Railroad and logistics specialist Heniff Transportation Systems have opened a new state-backed transload facility aimed at dry and liquid bulk customers.

Mexico’s Congress has passed legislation that would reverse railroad privatization laws enacted in the 1990s and give the government more control over rail operations, particularly passenger rail.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has subpoenaed CSX Corp. regarding misstatements in previously financial reports, CSX said in its latest quarterly filing with the government agency.

Portwide expansion and upgrades for ship, rail and truck have Charleston, South Carolina, officials eyeing annual capacity of 10 million TEUs for the fast-growing Southeastern maritime hub.

The Surface Transportation Board has approved acquisition by Canadian Pacific Kansas City and CSX Transportation of the Meridian & Bigbee Railroad from Genesee & Wyoming, allowing the two Class I lines to create a new direct connection at Myrtlewood, Alabama.

Weekly U.S. rail traffic rebounded into positive territory compared to 2023 for the week ending Oct. 12, after falling below previous-year levels a week earlier.

While hedge funds wring savings from other Class 1 railroads, Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena says his line can win new business with service and “operational excellence.”

CSX faces more than $200 million in reconstruction costs as a result of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and the income impacts of the storms will be felt in both the third and fourth quarters.

CSX Corp. reported third-quarter operating income of $1.35 billion with net earnings of $894 million, or 46 cents per diluted share, in financial results announced Wednesday.

OSHA has warned CSX against retaliating against employees who raise safety concerns.

Freight railroads from the Gulf Coast to Miami are still assessing damage and making repairs after Milton made landfall near St. Petersburg late Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane.

For the first time in more than nine months, U.S. weekly rail traffic has dropped below 2023 levels.

Class I railroads have rationalized their networks to the extent that there is very little redundancy, leaving few efficient alternatives in the event of a catastrophic event like Hurricane Helene.

Norfolk Southern says its line between Asheville, North Carolina, and Newport, Tennessee — heavily damaged by Hurricane Helene — will be out of service until at least late January, while assessment of the route between Asheville and Old Fort, North Carolina, is ongoing.

Locomotives and freight cars are being moved to higher ground and railroad operations are winding down as Hurricane Milton is only a few hours from making landfall between Tampa Bay and Sarasota on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Two members of Congress have introduced legislation to place railroad yardmasters under the same hours-of-service regulations that cover workers such as train crew members and dispatchers.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics report showed a small drop in trucking jobs in September but an enormous one at warehouses.

Universal Logistics said the $194 million acquisition of rail terminal operator Parsec will be immediately accretive to earnings.

Union Pacific says it’s already successfully handling the surge in container volume at West Coast ports, which began weeks ago as shippers sought to dodge a potential strike at ports on the East and Gulf coasts.

Rail service across many of Norfolk Southern’s lines from Georgia to West Virginia remain out of service.

CSX Transportation’s former Clinchfield Railroad mainline has seen devastating impacts from Hurricane Helene’s once-in-a-generation flood.

Anne Reinke is leaving the Transportation Intermediaries Association to head the Intermodal Association of North America, and Chris Burroughs, already a VP at TIA, will fill her slot.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and acting Department of Labor Secretary Julie Su sent a letter Wednesday urging CEOs of three Class I freight railroads to guarantee paid sick leave for all their employees.

The basic per diem rate allowed by the IRS for payments to transportation workers is rising by $11 in fiscal year 2025.

As BNSF Railway, CSX and Norfolk Southern continue to sign tentative contract agreements with their labor unions well in advance of the start of national negotiations, one U.S. Class I railroad has been conspicuously absent: Union Pacific.

U.S. railroads see the highest weekly intermodal traffic since the pandemic, and ongoing supply chain issues could aid further gains as a threatened longshore strike creeps closer.

Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor on Lake Michigan increases rail capacity by 250 cars and adds hundreds of feet of new dock for expanded all-water cargoes.

Internal email reveals $105 million in maintenance cutbacks at BNSF that could lead to service disruptions.

Norfolk Southern, which has struggled to maintain consistent and reliable service in recent years, will no longer tolerate mediocre operational performance, new CEO Mark George says.

German railway Deutsche Bahn is selling its Schenker logistics unit to DSV of Denmark in a deal that will create the world’s largest forwarder.

Norfolk Southern in a filing detailed salary and stock awards that signal it expects Mark George to be a long-term chief executive.

Schenker has been sold, but not to the U.S. private equity group vying for control of the German logistics provider. Transport provider DSV of Denmark has emerged as the winning […]

Ancora placed a few of its people on the Norfolk Southern board in May, and that likely led to CEO Shaw’s ouster.

New bills in both the Senate and House of Representatives would upgrade the 45G tax credit for inflation and expand trackage covered under the program.

Norfolk Southern on Wednesday terminated the contracts of embattled CEO Alan Shaw and the railroad’s chief legal officer, Nabanita Nag, for having a consensual relationship in violation of company policy.

Regulators may consider more oversight as a way to improve rail volumes.

The Montreal Port Authority is spending more than $42 million to restore and upgrade the Pie-IX rail bridge, a project that will also help a port-based sugar refiner boost capacity.

The Norfolk Southern board of directors is investigating allegations that CEO Alan Shaw had an inappropriate workplace relationship.

U.S. rail traffic has seen its third consecutive week of increases of 8% or more.

In a lawsuit dating back to 2018, CSX accused rival Norfolk Southern of jacking up rates for dockside access to the East Coast container gateway.

Rail’s lower shipping costs and reduced carbon emissions often come at the expense of reliability and service. CSX is committed to changing that.

Norfolk Southern and BNSF Railway have reached tentative five-year contract agreements with additional unions four months before the opening round of national collective bargaining.

Canadian Teamsters filed four separate challenges Thursday in the Canadian Federal Court of Appeal challenging the labor minister’s order for binding arbitration and the Canada Industrial Relations Board decision to stop the lockout and work stoppage.

A New York-based venture capital firm and European transport specialist are vying to acquire Schenker, the logistics unit of German national railway Deutsche Bahn, which could shake up the market for logistics services in the U.S.

Intermodal outpaced most U.S. rail carload shipments as shippers raced to get end-of-year retail merchandise through import gateways ahead of disruptions in the global supply chain.

Despite peak season stress, supply chain bottlenecks failed to materialize during the recovery from the brief lockout of union employees by CN and CPKC.

Minnesota’s federally mandated State Freight Plan identifies key areas for investment in the statewide transportation system to ensure goods movement that is safe, efficient and sustainable.

The railroads got what they wanted in Canada’s contract dispute: binding arbitration.

Norfolk Southern’s final RoadRailer train left Detroit early Sunday morning for the 715-mile run to Kansas City, Missouri.

It could take the two largest Canadian railroads a week or more to recover from the effects of a shutdown that briefly stalled billions in freight including transborder trade with the United States.

The union says it will appeal ruling to federal court.

Eastern railroad CSX said it had come to tentative agreements with seven more unions ahead of scheduled collective bargaining, just days after it announced five early deals with unionized workers.

The agreements were announced just days after CSX completed early deals with its unions as labor flexes its newfound strength with employers following the pandemic.

The Port of Los Angeles has named Erica M. Calhoun deputy executive director overseeing the city of Los Angeles Harbor Department’s Administrative Bureau.

Canadian National Railway announced it has received a 72-hour strike notice from the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, which would launch a strike against the railroad at 10 a.m. ET on Monday.

As eastbound import traffic continues to grow, Union Pacific announced surcharges for its premium EMP and UMAX services out of the Southern California gateway.

The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference is returning to work at Canadian National Railway, but the union said the work stoppage continues at Canadian Pacific Kansas City pending an order from the Canada Industrial Relations Board.

Startup Intramotev, which converts conventional freight cars to battery-electric, self-propelled vehicles, has debuted an autonomous double-stack car.

Canada’s freight rail work stoppage — the first to shut down both Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City simultaneously — is over.

Natron Energy plans to build the first U.S. sodium ion battery plant, thanks to investment by the state-owned rail corridor and other public/private economic development organizations.

Trucking industry and logistics leaders said the lockout by Canada’s two largest railroads Thursday could create capacity crunches and rate spikes across the freight industry.

CN and CPKC early Thursday locked out 9,300 union employees, bringing trains to a halt in a move that could disrupt supply chains throughout North America.