The proposed merger of Class I’s Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern is unlikely to significantly improve the fortunes of North America’s rail freight market, writes Railway Age Contributing Editor Jim…

The first small wave of container ships was arriving at U.S. West Coast ports as this was written in late April, bearing goods that will be assessed import tariff duties.…

On Jan. 15, 2025, the Federal Railroad Administration released on its website the final report titled Cost and Benefit Risk Framework for Modern Railway Electrification Options (download below). The report…

Independent rail economist Jim Blaze shares another fearless forecast for North American rail freight, as originally reported in Railway Age's sister publication, International Railway Journal (IRJ).

I have not been this optimistic about seeing real chances for future rail market share growth since about 2018. I became pessimistic during 2019, and then progressively more pessimistic with…

The North American Freight Forum (NAFF), created by Philadelphia-based Strategic Rail Finance Chairman and CEO Michael Sussman, uses an interesting, different approach to try to link the energy and environmental…

Jim Blaze reporting on the NEARS (Northeast Association of Rail Shippers) Fall Conference: ABH Consulting independent analyst Tony Hatch and TD Cowen Managing Director/Railway Age Wall Street Contributing Editor Jason…

Jim Blaze reporting on the NEARS (Northeast Association of Rail Shippers) Fall 2023 Conference: FTR Transportation Intelligence Vice President Rail and Intermodal Todd Tranausky and his colleagues conduct high-quality research. They…

Jim Blaze reporting from Portland, Me., NEARS: STB Chairman Marty Oberman delivered an interpretation that suggests his independent members are still awaiting insight from the private “Big Six” as to…

There has been much talk from all sides of railroading this past decade about how to make freight railroading more relevant and increase rail’s market share vs. trucking. It comes…

Railroads & Economic Regulation, An Insider’s Account. By Frank N. Wilner. Simmons-Boardman Books. Hardcover, 398 pp. $69.00 Frank N. Wilner, a Railway Age colleague and Capitol Hill Contributing Editor, has…

I’ve accepted the challenge offered back in April 2022 by Gil Lamphere regarding the intermodal business options for the North American rail freight sector.

Where are the Class I railroads in improving their actual service metrics as the upcoming Union Pacific rail embargo STB investigation comes close to its Dec. 13-14 date in Washington?…

The digital age of telematic network monitoring comes in different business models. It might even help resolve passenger and freight train capacity questions. Jim Blaze takes a look at how…

It might be short lines that deliver precisely scheduled service at the shipper’s dock—not necessarily the Class I carriers.

This is a deeper look at the possible role of using existing train movements to help reduce air pollution using direct carbon capture science, through an exclusive interview with the…

Trend Reminder: As always, this column represents Jim Blaze’s independent evaluation of trends and different rail freight vending companies. This column is about rail freight’s evolving software management tools. As…

The four largest U.S. freight railroad companies—BNSF, CSX, Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific—all reported, per the request of the Surface Transportation Board, supplemental information about their efforts to improve service and…

Let’s admit it, and fix the expectation: U.S. Class I railroads have not experienced robust service recovery. Yet railroad optimism and expectations of satisfied customers persists. Why?

I have lived my life this way …The rain washed out the tracks …… ‘Can I find my way back again’?Yes. With a little help from my friends Here are…