Topic: Rail & Intermodal

Citing increased train speeds and productivity as its main drivers, a new IT application from GE Transportation, in conjunction with Norfolk Southern, vows to increase the average network speed of trains significantly.

Differing opinions appear to be the norm when it comes to debating how legislation focused on re-reregulating the freight railroad industry will shake out.

As railroad volumes continue to show steady improvement on an annual basis, the week ending May 29 was no exception with carload and intermodal volumes both showing gains, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Following 12 straight weeks of traffic growth, the Association of American Railroads reported that volumes for the week ending May 20 have leveled off, although they remain up on an annual basis.

Even though coal carloads are down roughly 3 percent year-over-year, the commodity’s importance to the freight railroad industry is not to be overlooked. That was the message from Association of American Railroads (AAR) President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger in recent testimony for the Congressional Caucus on Coal.

Another steady carload freight volume increase for the week ending May 15 marked the 12th straight week volumes were up, according to data released by the Association of American Railroads.

Spurred by increased consumer demand and inventory replenishment, intermodal volume for the first quarter trended positive due in large part to growth on the domestic side, according to the most recent Market Trends report from the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA).