Railroad

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How the board calculates cost of capital is outdated.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.

As truck-plus-rail becomes increasingly popular, shippers need to find sites where the modes meet.

BNSF placed in service approximately 2.5 miles of second main track near Westmond, Idaho, closing the gap between two larger sections of double-track main line on one of the busiest segments of BNSF’s Northern Corridor.

Third-quarter revenue fell for the shortline operator.

Market expert Michael Baudendistel writes about whether there is a rail recession, or are railroads paring operations and employees to fatten their bottom lines.

U.S. rail volumes fell 8.1% amid trade uncertainty and “sluggish” growth abroad.

Railway rebounds after slow start in August and September.

U.S. rail trade associations say changes will help employees responding to unplanned events.

Shipping liquified natural gas by rail is a controversial topic. Read what Jim Blaze thinks about the idea in his latest commentary.

Connecting the Alaska Railroad with rail service in Canada and the U.S. is a bold, expensive plan. But it would generate tremendous benefits. Read more here.

Lower operating expenses helped to increase profits.

The credit ratings firm sees coal and intermodal volumes under continued pressure next year.

Ontario Trucking Association lauds crackdown by province’s workers’ compensation agency on companies that skirt payroll deductions by misclassifying drivers. But the OTA calls on Canada’s federal government to do more.

Train crew size, healthcare are among the key issues, on top of grappling with systemic changes to the industry

Ben Thrower writes about the positive and negative aspects of precision scheduled railroading in this commentary article.

Canadian province will allow producers to exceed limits exclusively for rail shipments to meet higher demand.

Year-to-date U.S. rail traffic continues to trend lower.

The rail equipment and technology manufacturer sees international opportunities as an area for business to grow.

FreightCar America sees net loss more than double as it navigates the downside of railcar demand. The company’s cost restructuring remains on track.

The rail equipment lessor said corrosion damage was found in 160 railcars.

The number of employees working for the U.S. operations of the Class I railroads slumps to its lowest level in years.

Jim Blaze writes about Conrail Shared Assets and its accomplishments on behalf of CSX and Norfolk Southern.

Freight railroads need push to ensure Amtrak’s trains are on time, Durbin says.

The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference could go on strike as early as Nov. 19 should talks deteriorate with Canadian National.

Merchandise of almost any kind is valuable. Packaging it correctly is one key to making sure it arrives at its destination undamaged. Learn some tips about how to package correctly.

The rail equipment manufacturer said it delivered record railcar deliveries in the quarter.

Rail volumes fell yet again and the industry is casting its doubts about the fourth quarter.

The railway also earned record third-quarter revenue.

Intermodal was a particularly weak spot; OR at Swift a concern to Deutsche

Further operational efficiencies will push the railroad to its target, the company said.

Railroads face an uphill battle in elevating their intermodal business.

Despite lowering its operating ratio, the railroad tempers its 2019 outlook.

Jim Blaze explains the new CSX trip compliance reporting… perhaps the first step for railroads to compete more effectively with the trucking industry.

The rail equipment manufacturer sees high utilization rate but says economy faces uncertainty.

Coal production in the region could fall significantly in 2020, affecting rail volumes.

LNG export proposal immediately slammed by Democrat lawmakers.