American intermodal volumes are down midway through February

SalesMoney Matters
Written By Jennifer Joslyn

🚂 American intermodal volumes are down midway through February.

When United States rail carload and intermodal volumes are down, it generally indicates a decrease in demand for freight transportation services by rail. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as changes in the economy, shifts in consumer behavior, or changes in supply chain logistics. For example, during an economic downturn, companies may reduce their production and shipping of goods, leading to lower demand for rail transportation services. Similarly, if a significant portion of consumers begins to shop online and receive home deliveries, this could reduce the need for rail transportation of goods to retail stores.

Read more from Logistics Management ▶

Featured
New Jersey Power Outage Disrupts Commutes via Amtrak
New Jersey Power Outage Disrupts Commutes via Amtrak

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy slammed Amtrak for a power outage that disrupted Amtrak and NJ Transit services for hours, calling it an "unmitigated disaster."

High-Speed Rail to Connect Las Vegas and Los Angeles by 2028
High-Speed Rail to Connect Las Vegas and Los Angeles by 2028

Get ready for a new era of travel between Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area!

Canadian Railways On The Brink of Work Stoppage Amid Contract Deadlock
Canadian Railways On The Brink of Work Stoppage Amid Contract Deadlock

The union representing nearly 9,300 workers at Canada’s top two rail companies is signaling a potential work stoppage due to stalled negotiations over working conditions and wage hikes.

China's Hyperloop Dream is Breaking Speed Barriers and Redefining Travel
China's Hyperloop Dream is Breaking Speed Barriers and Redefining Travel

Imagine zipping from New York to Los Angeles in less than an hour or hopping from London to Paris in just 15 minutes.

Improperly Licensed Truck Driver Blamed for Fatal Metra Train Collision in Illinois
Improperly Licensed Truck Driver Blamed for Fatal Metra Train Collision in Illinois

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that the actions of an improperly licensed truck driver were the probable cause of a fatal grade-crossing collision involving a Metra commuter train in Clarendon Hills, Illinois, in May 2022.

Deutsche Bahn Launches Sale of DB Schenker to Focus on Core Railway Business
Deutsche Bahn Launches Sale of DB Schenker to Focus on Core Railway Business

Deutsche Bahn, Germany's national railway operator, has initiated the sale of its logistics unit, DB Schenker, as part of its strategy to concentrate on its core railway business.

Train Derailment Sparks Chemical Spillage and Evacuation in Eastern Kentucky
Train Derailment Sparks Chemical Spillage and Evacuation in Eastern Kentucky

A train derailment in eastern Kentucky caused the spillage of a chemical, leading officials to advise the evacuation of Livingston, a small town of about 200 residents, due to concerns about air quality.

President Biden Announces $16 Billion Investment in Northeast Corridor Rail Upgrades
President Biden Announces $16 Billion Investment in Northeast Corridor Rail Upgrades

The federal government plans to allocate over $16 billion to enhance the Northeast Corridor, the busiest rail line in the country, connecting cities like Washington, New York, and Boston.

Green Line Extension Faces Major Track Repairs Amid Controversy
Green Line Extension Faces Major Track Repairs Amid Controversy

A significant portion of the Green Line Extension in Massachusetts needs track repairs due to narrowness issues, with 50% of the Union Branch tracks and around 80% of the Medford/Tufts Branch tracks requiring widening.

Major Coal Train Derailment Closes I-25, Stranding Commuters and Prompting Traffic Solution
Major Coal Train Derailment Closes I-25, Stranding Commuters and Prompting Traffic Solution

Over 30 coal cars derailed near I-25 due to a broken rail, causing a bridge collapse and closing the interstate.

Fatal Coal Train Derailment Shuts Down Interstate 25 in Southern Colorado
Fatal Coal Train Derailment Shuts Down Interstate 25 in Southern Colorado

A coal train derailed over Interstate 25 in southern Colorado, killing the driver of a semi-truck.

Norfolk Southern Anticipates Weeks for Train Backlog Recovery
Norfolk Southern Anticipates Weeks for Train Backlog Recovery

Norfolk Southern, an Atlanta-based railroad, is facing a significant backlog of trains following a recent service outage.

The Brightline Transformation in the U.S. is Revolutionizing Passenger Rail
The Brightline Transformation in the U.S. is Revolutionizing Passenger Rail

Brightline, a Florida-based company owned by Fortress Investment Group, is challenging the traditional passenger rail model in the U.S. by offering a privately funded and operated alternative.

Jim Vena Takes Over as CEO of Union Pacific, Replacing Lance Fritz
Jim Vena Takes Over as CEO of Union Pacific, Replacing Lance Fritz

Union Pacific, the second-largest freight railroad company in the U.S., has announced a change in its leadership.

Union Pacific Railroad to Test Conductors in Trucks as it Renews Push for 1-Person Crews
Union Pacific Railroad to Test Conductors in Trucks as it Renews Push for 1-Person Crews

Union Pacific (UP) is set to resume its efforts to implement one-person train crews by conducting a pilot program in Nebraska and Colorado.

Daimler Truck Sets Ambitious Revenue Growth Targets as it Shifts to Zero-Emissions Powertrains
Daimler Truck Sets Ambitious Revenue Growth Targets as it Shifts to Zero-Emissions Powertrains

Daimler Truck, the truck division of Daimler AG, has outlined its plans for a transition to zero-emissions powertrains and projected revenue growth of 40%-60% in the second half of the decade.

Railroad Industry Challenges Ohio's Minimum Crew-Size Requirement After Train Derailment
Railroad Industry Challenges Ohio's Minimum Crew-Size Requirement After Train Derailment

The railroad industry has filed a lawsuit to block a new rule in Ohio that mandates a two-person crew for freight trains and imposes stricter regulations on wayside detectors.

Record Railroad Profits Call for 'Do No Harm,' Not Harmful Legislation
Record Railroad Profits Call for 'Do No Harm,' Not Harmful Legislation

The recent legislation proposed by Senators Tammy Baldwin and Roger Marshall called the "Reliable Rail Service Act," has raised concerns reminiscent of the 2008 financial crisis.

CSX and CPKC Railroads to Enhance Southeast Traffic with Network Connection Investment
CSX and CPKC Railroads to Enhance Southeast Traffic with Network Connection Investment

CSX and CPKC railroads have announced a partnership to strengthen a currently underutilized connection between their networks in the southeastern region of the United States.

Norfolk Southern Railroad CEO's Focus on Safety Intensifies Following Ohio Derailment
Norfolk Southern Railroad CEO's Focus on Safety Intensifies Following Ohio Derailment

Norfolk Southern's CEO, Alan Shaw, has emphasized the importance of safety and better service, particularly after a train derailed and caught fire in Ohio.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and CSX Corp. Acquire Rail Assets from Genesee & Wyoming
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and CSX Corp. Acquire Rail Assets from Genesee & Wyoming

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and CSX Corp. have reached an agreement to purchase additional rail assets, creating a direct interchange connection between CPKC and CSX in Alabama.

Train in Southern California Derails Following Collision with Truck: 198 Passengers Aboard
Train in Southern California Derails Following Collision with Truck: 198 Passengers Aboard

An Amtrak train carrying nearly 200 passengers derailed in Southern California after colliding with a county water truck, leaving the truck's driver critically injured.

States Pursue Independent Rail Safety Measures Amid Federal Gridlock and Industry Opposition
States Pursue Independent Rail Safety Measures Amid Federal Gridlock and Industry Opposition

Several states are taking action to address rail safety concerns following train derailments, leading them to pursue their own remedies in the absence of federal action.

AAR Report Shines Light on Railroads' Crucial Role in Tackling Climate Change
AAR Report Shines Light on Railroads' Crucial Role in Tackling Climate Change

A report by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) highlights the freight railroad industry's significant potential in combating climate change.

Regulators Confirm Safety Following Train Incident in Yellowstone River
Regulators Confirm Safety Following Train Incident in Yellowstone River

Preliminary testing of water and air quality along the Yellowstone River, where train cars carrying hazardous materials fell into the water after a bridge collapse, did not reveal any immediate threat to the public, according to state and federal officials.

New hydrogen locomotives from CPKC and CSX
New hydrogen locomotives from CPKC and CSX

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and CSX Corp. have announced a joint venture to develop and deploy hydrogen conversion kits for diesel-electric locomotives, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the freight rail industry.

BNSF Prepares for Intermodal Surge After West Coast Ports' Contract Deal
BNSF Prepares for Intermodal Surge After West Coast Ports' Contract Deal

Following the resolution of the contract dispute at West Coast ports, BNSF Railway Co. (BNSF) has announced its readiness to handle an anticipated surge in intermodal volumes once freight levels in the region return to normal.

Freight Train Batteries Could Aid Power Grid in Emergencies
Freight Train Batteries Could Aid Power Grid in Emergencies

Researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory propose using electric batteries on freight trains to support the power grid during spikes in energy demand.

Regulatory authorities assure a thorough safety evaluation across all major freight railroads
Regulatory authorities assure a thorough safety evaluation across all major freight railroads

The FRA recently completed a safety culture review of Norfolk Southern prompted by a significant derailment in Ohio.

Enhancing Predictability: Union Pacific Commits to Improved Schedules for Union Rail Workers
Enhancing Predictability: Union Pacific Commits to Improved Schedules for Union Rail Workers

Railroad operator Union Pacific has reached a tentative agreement with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) to implement more predictable schedules for workers.

Jennifer Joslyn
Previous

Ohio train derailment spurs urgent response from AAR over safety issues
Next

Potential semiconductor production catastrophe if China invades Taiwan