Railroad

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.

Private equity firm Paceline acquires a maintenance-of-way equipment lessor from Progress Rail, a Caterpillar subsidiary.

Despite a tough 2019 market, shippers face increasing price volatility around intermodal drayage as rail becomes more cost competitive compared with over-the-road trucking. Last year was one that intermodal marketing […]

Good day, Hydrogen fuel cell trucks are making inroads at California ports and now the state is planning the nation’s first zero-emission “hydrail” project, Forbes magazine reports. The nine-mile line […]

The railway announced plans to acquire the Central Maine & Quebec Railway in November.

Two industry groups have announced a program to prevent the accidental release of pre-production plastic pellets.

Rail intermodal is the transportation method of moving freight on the earth’s surface by two modes, by railroad and also by truck. The freight can be carried in either trailers or containers; containers has become the larger and faster-growing category. The freight is moved on a railroad during the long-haul portion of the move with local trucking (known as drayage) taking the trailer or container to its final destination.

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.

A portfolio of acquisitions culminates in a large sale. Genesee and Wyoming announces that the sale of the company has been completed.

The U.S. operations of the Class I railroads continue to shed employees.

Railroads are the most efficient transportation mode for moving goods on the earth’s surface. Railroads are of particular importance for the movement of commodities that heavy and moved in bulk over long distances where the transportation spend represents a large portion of the total delivered cost.

Trump administration seeks industry comment on Obama-era transportation document.

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.

Ores and wastes are arguably the two most important materials transported in the nuclear cycle. FreightWaves asks how they are shipped. The answer is: carefully.

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.

The agency has issued two new notices of proposed rulemakings that it says would promote safety innovation and reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens.

CSX and passenger and commuter rail share the same railroad track between Washington, D.C. and Richmond. Investments to the corridor south of Washington, D.C. would change that.

Jim Blaze writes about the financial issues inherent in an Alaska-to-Alberta rail route.

Canadian National reports operations have returned to “normalized” levels after an eight-day work stoppage.

Action averts government shutdown, funds key infrastructure programs.

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 loans would enable short line railroads to pay for rehabilitation projects.

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.

The next step is achieving full interoperability with other railroads.

Proposal providing relief for shippers could be rolled out next year.

Accident in Saskatchewan causes 1.5 million-liter crude oil spill.

Stakeholders address the Surface Transportation Board, which is mulling over whether it should change the way it defines revenue adequacy.

Canadian National’s grain shipments gain momentum with eight-day strike in the rearview.

Economic uncertainty weighs on rail volumes.

Latest round of DERA grants allots up to $4 million per project.

How the board calculates cost of capital is outdated. How much of an overhaul is needed?

The railroad will consolidate business segments to three groups from four to better adapt to market conditions.

The approval comes amid some objection by Congressional Democrats and a wider proposed rulemaking on the same issue.

Site is close to Interstate 69 and Ohio River.

Railway Age reports Wabtec also will help ENR modernize its existing fleet.

Container industry veteran John McCown argues that the shift toward East Coast ports is inexorable.

The company sees the new facility as a way to expand and reach its manufacturing goals.

The state has enough funding to allow construction to proceed, but the details are still forthcoming.

E-commerce’s role in transforming supply chain logistics should be a factor that Congress considers during the next surface transportation bill authorization.

Taking out stuff that you don’t need is part of the strategy to increase Canadian crude-by-rail shipments

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.

Several management teams from North America’s largest Class I railroads were on hand to discuss current demand, their networks and the future at the Credit Suisse 7th Annual Industrials Conference.

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.

Expanding truck appointment system and new lanes credited for fast moves as port readies for dredging

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.

French workers are demonstrating for reforms in their pension plan, leading to a protest that will see most employees of transport companies strike beginning on Dec. 5.

The railway attributes the record to its high efficiency train model and to collaboration with supply chain participants.

The changes come as the railroad deploys precision scheduled railroading.

CNl estimates eight-day disruption will trim C$0.15 per share from profits as CEO assures that recovery plan is “delivering results.”

Market Expert David Faulkenberry writes about the increasingly important “final mile” and why estimates of its size vary so widely.

Canadian SONAR data show that trucks helped fill the void as rail capacity left the market – and then got a nice bump as it returned.

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.

North American Class I carloads increased year-over-year in week 47 on a favorable comp. The prior four-week average remains weak.

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.

CRRC Yangtze Co. Ltd., owner of 22% of Vertex, claims nearly all of the debt listed in the petition filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.

The implementation of Positive Train Control is the largest technology program deployed in CN history and they are already ahead of the game

Jim Blaze writes about the power and influence of mentors on a person’s career and life.

Normal rail service to resume on Nov. 27, ending a week-long strike that has shaken Canada’s supply chain.

Headcount within U.S. Class I rail operations tumbles amid declining rail volumes and the deployment of precision railroading.

Federal Minister of Agriculture suggests government would consider back-to-work legislation or binding arbitration for striking Teamsters members as disruption brings 37% in drop in Canadian National revenue ton-miles and worsening supply-chain conditions across the country.

The bill introduced by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) would allow Amtrak to sue freight railroads for not giving Amtrak preference on freight rail-owned track.

The terminal wants to be an alternative for those needing intermodal services to the U.S. West Coast.

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.

Transport Minister Marc Garneau insists that a deal between Candian National and Teamsters offers the best way to get trains moving again as walkout by 3,200 workers hits Canada’s supply chain and threatens the economy.

Moving to a fixed quarterly RFP program with brokers has added consistency, accuracy and reliability to Bumble Bee’s relationship with intermediaries

The railroad has completed the rollout of a cloud-based operational system.

The Blockchain in Transport Alliance announced it will participate in two blockchain proof-of-concept projects in the coming months. The organization’s working groups also provided updates on the progress of standards development at its BiTA Symposium Chicago on Nov. 14, 2019.

In two unrelated announcements on Nov. 20, CP lays out plans to deepen network capacity.

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.

Remaining employees will complete the final order before decommissioning equipment at the facility.

The railway is confident that the momentum to deploy technology initiatives will continue.

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?

Federal minister urges Canadian National and Teamsters to reach agreement as walkout by 3,200 conductors, transpersons and yard workers continues.

Talks have been ongoing for seven months. Staffing levels appear to be a key issue.

The railway cited challenging economic headwinds and could release up to 1,600 employees.

The initiative is part of a broader push to limit diesel emissions from freight facilities.

U.S. rail volumes have been trending lower all year.

Jim Blaze writes about the North American railroads KPIs, and what the railroads need to do to increase railcar use, revenue and shipper loyalty.

Gregg Mitchell promoted to new role after serving as chairman for Trinity’s highway products and logistics group.

The regulatory agency for rail receives a flurry of feedback on rail rate reasonableness and demurrage and accessorial charges.

Hunt thinks that an additional 7 to 11 million loads per year could shift from the highway to intermodal.

Advent Intermodal is seeking to increase transparency along the Panama “land bridge” between the coasts.

TrinityRail has two new railcars: the Hourglass™ and the TrinFlo™.

The railway hauled record grain and grain products volumes in October.

For anyone in and around the Corn Belt in 2019, the lasting effects of this spring’s flooding are still front and center in everyone’s mind. The economy has been impacted […]

The broader issue for Carbo is the weak oil and gas market that has impacted the oil patch.

The Class I railroads furlough workers in times of lower volumes but unions think the cuts have been too deep as a result of precision scheduled railroading.