railroad

FreightCar America Q1 net better than half of revenue

FreightCar America said net income totaled $50.4 million in the first quarter while revenue of $96.3 million fell 40.2% from the year-ago period.

The Chicago-based railcar builder (NASDAQ: RAIL) delivered 710 units in the quarter ended March 31, down from 1,223 units in the previous-year quarter.

Adjusted net income was $1.6 million, or 5 cents per share, primarily reflecting a $52.9 million noncash adjustment due to a change in warrant liability.

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightcar-america-q1-net-better-than-half-of-revenue

Grupo Mexico rail operations earnings plunge as volume drops

Grupo Mexico’s transportation division — which includes Ferromex, Ferrosur, Florida East Coast Railway and Texas Pacifico — reported sharply lower first-quarter revenue and profits as a plunge in automotive and minerals traffic drove an overall volume decline.

For the quarter, GMXT’s operating income declined 18.5%, to $225 million, as revenue declined 12.1%, to $778 million, the company reported recently. Net income sank 21%, to $112 million. The operating ratio was 76.4%.

Volume fell 6.1% when...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/grupo-mexico-rail-operations-earnings-plunge-as-volume-drops

BNSF profits rise as volume and rates increase

BNSF Railway posted higher profits in the first quarter thanks to a combination of volume growth and pricing gains, corporate parent Berkshire Hathaway announced on Saturday.

“The railroad is earning a little more than last year, but it’s not earning what it should be earning at the present time,” Berkshire CEO Warren Buffett said at the company’s annual meeting on Saturday. “But that’s solvable and is getting solved. It’s still an incredible asset for Berkshire.”

BNSF’s pretax profit increased...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/bnsf-profits-rise-as-volume-and-rates-increase

US rail freight still ahead of 2024 levels

Weekly U.S. rail volume remains ahead of 2024 levels — at least for now.

Amid reports that import traffic from China is about to drop dramatically, with an almost-certain impact on intermodal volume, both carload and intermodal traffic remained above previous-year levels for the week ending April 26, 2025.

Statistics from the Association of American Railroads show that U.S. traffic for the week was 502,105 carloads and intermodal units, up 5.5% from the same week in 2024. That includes 233,411...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/us-rail-freight-still-ahead-of-2024-levels

Class I railroads keep optimistic outlooks despite trade uncertainty

Despite mounting uncertainty over tariffs, trade policy and the economy, most major railroads held firm on their 2025 outlooks — contrasting with a wave of guidance cuts across other industries.

Among the five publicly traded Class I railroads, Canadian National, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific kept their guidance intact, while Canadian Pacific Kansas City and CSX made slight downward adjustments during their first-quarter earnings calls over the past three weeks.

The guidance serves as a key...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/class-i-railroads-keep-optimistic-outlooks-despite-trade-uncertainty

CN’s first-quarter earnings grow despite impact of severe weather

Canadian National (NYSE: CNI) reported stronger first-quarter earnings Thursday despite the impact of harsh winter weather across its system, which crimped train length and the railway’s ability to meet demand for intermodal and merchandise service. 

“We are very pleased today to be reporting strong first-quarter results,” CEO Tracy Robinson said on the railway’s earnings call, pointing to 8% earnings growth and an improved operating ratio. “This gives us a good start on the year, particularly...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/cns-first-quarter-earnings-grow-despite-impact-of-severe-weather

First look: CN earnings

Canadian National (NYSE: CNI) achieved notable improvements across key performance metrics during the first quarter as revenue and profits were higher year on year despite challenging winter conditions.

For the three months ending March 31, revenue ton-miles (RTMs) saw a 1% increase to 60 billion, while total revenues grew by $111 million to reach $3.18 billion, a 4% increase. Operating income also showed positive momentum, rising by $46 million to $1.2 billion, a 4% improvement.

All freight...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/first-look-cn-earnings

Union Pacific heritage locomotive honors Abraham Lincoln

Union Pacific has unveiled its Abraham Lincoln commemorative locomotive, honoring the president who signed the bill creating Union Pacific as part of the transcontinental railroad.

“Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) exists because President Abraham Lincoln wasn’t afraid to ask, ‘What’s possible?’” Union Pacific Chief Executive Jim Vena said at a ceremony Wednesday in North Little Rock, Arkansas. “Our employees move the critical goods Americans use each day. We are proud of our heritage and look forward...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/union-pacific-heritage-locomotive-honors-abraham-lincoln

CPKC’s first-quarter profits rise despite trade war

Canadian Pacific Kansas City reported higher first-quarter revenue and profits as it carried more freight, but the railway also reduced its full-year outlook due to lingering uncertainty over tariffs and trade policy.

“We’re undoubtedly off to a strong start in 2025, and we’re experiencing a strong start to the second quarter as well,” CEO Keith Creel told investors and analysts on the railway’s earnings call late Wednesday. “​​That being said, there’s certainly an undeniable macro-environment...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/cpkcs-first-quarter-profits-rise-despite-trade-war

Legislators propose upgraded tax credit for short line rail maintenance

A federal tax credit that’s helped attract billions in private investment in short line railroads could be getting an upgrade.

Legislation introduced in the Senate seeks to modernize the Short Line Railroad Maintenance Tax Credit, known as 45G, that has been responsible for driving more than $8 billion in private spending for short line rail infrastructure since it was introduced in 2005.

The bill, co-sponsored by Republican Mike Crapo of Idaho, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Ron...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/legislators-propose-upgraded-tax-credit-for-short-line-rail-maintenance

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