The recent merger between Canadian Pacific Railway (CPRS) and the Kansas City Southern (KCS) has been making headlines, marking a transformative moment in the North American rail industry. This union promises to enhance efficiency, expand service offerings, and generate significant benefits for rail shippers. In this blog post, we will delve into the details of …
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Inclement weather will likely challenge all rail customers at some point. With winter weather fast approaching, your rail-served facilities should take measures to prepare for freezing temperatures, sleet, snow, and ice that winter storms will bring. A winter preparedness plan including snow and ice removal will be required throughout the winter season, and is crucial …
Understanding how the railroads price your commodity is a starting point for determining your ability to negotiate rail freight rates. Railroad pricing has been cyclical over the years, fluctuating between public tariffs and private contracts. With the use of differential pricing, the railroads may provide different rates to different shippers in similar lanes. Regardless of …
Hurricanes cause more damage than any other type of weather catastrophe. These storms destroy homes and cities, as well as infrastructure. To survive a hurricane, and also to rebuild after the storm, hurricane preparedness for rail shippers is essential. The hurricane season of 2020 has already been intense, and will continue to bring more storms. …
STB staying true to their promise of proactive action On September 30th, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) released proposals for modifying the reporting of rail service data and the methodology for calculating the rail industry’s cost of capital. Proposed Change #1 – Cars Held Reporting for Chemicals & Plastics One of the service data …
Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) was the main topic of discussion at the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) summer meeting in July. The schedule allowed attendees the opportunity to hear about PSR from three distinct perspectives. Class I railroads, short line railroads, and shippers. The following is a quick recap: Norfolk Southern’s Chairman, President and …
Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (NYSE: GWR), the global rail short line holding company that owns or maintains an interest in 120 railroads throughout six countries is investigating options to strategically sell all or portions of its worldwide operation. During GWR’s Q1-2019 earnings report on April 30th, the GWR announced that while rail volumes were down …
It’s no secret that railroad demurrage charges and private car storage charges have become a big expense for many rail shippers and receivers. We have to admit it’s not all bad — it has increased demand for RSI’s railcar tracking system and services because shippers need to more closely plan, monitor, and control their railcar …
In January 2018 Chairman Ann Begeman formed a Rail Rate Reform Task Force to recommend improvements to the existing rate review processes and to propose new rate review methodologies. Rail rate rule reform has been Chairman Begeman’s top priority. Last week, the task force submitted their report to the STB. The Rate Reform Task Force …
In their relentless pursuit to push more of the cost of operating railcars on to shippers, the UP has requested the STB to “terminate our obligation to comply with the mileage equalization provisions of the National Tank Car Allowance Agreement adopted by the Interstate Commerce Commission in Investigation of Tank Car Allowance System (“System – …