railroads

Yearly gains for US rail freight despite intermodal weakness

U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 8 showed a notable increase in overall activity compared to the same week in 2024, even as intermodal volumes continued to slow so far this year.

Total U.S. traffic reached 497,412 carloads and intermodal units, according to the Association of American Railroads, marking a 5.4% increase from the same period in 2024. Growth was driven by increases in both carload and intermodal volumes.

Carload traffic for the week totaled 219,457, up 2.6% from the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/yearly-gains-for-us-rail-freight-despite-intermodal-weakness

Trucking stocks tumble, but Citi sees opportunity in chaos

Citi’s transportation analysts have released a report suggesting that the recent sell-off in trucking stocks may be overblown, driven by investors’ overreactions to sharp declines in trucking spot rates. The report highlights key factors and trends shaping the sector.

Truckload spot rates have plummeted in early 2025, erasing gains from late 2024. While this drop partly reflects seasonal norms, its magnitude has exceeded investor expectations, fueled by excess capacity and soft demand in the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/trucking-stocks-tumble-but-citi-sees-opportunity-in-chaos

Watco acquires Michigan railroad

Shortline holding company Watco is adding another railroad to its stable: Great Lakes Central, the operator of 420 miles of state-owned trackage in Michigan.

Watco already knows the railroad well. It has been an equity investor in the GLC since 2013.

“The Great Lakes Central Railroad has been a vital part of Michigan’s transportation network and both my father, Louis P. Ferris, Jr., and I have been deeply passionate about its role in connecting industries and communities,” GLC Chief Executive...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/watco-acquires-michigan-railroad

Railroads say freight theft cost more than $100 million in 2024

Cargo theft cost U.S. Class I railroads more than $100 million in 2024, the Association of American Railroads said, calling for more federal efforts to address the problem and more effective prosecution of those arrested.

The AAR said in a recently released fact sheet that organized criminal groups are increasingly targeting freight moves, with estimates that more than 65,000 such thefts occurred in 2024. That would represent an approximately 40% increase. Railroads also say suspects are...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/railroads-say-freight-theft-cost-more-than-100-million-in-2024

Machinists union ratifies CSX pact

CSX announced on Monday that employees represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) have voted to ratify the five-year collective bargaining agreement.

“IAM’s ratification is a testament to the strength of our partnership with union leadership,” said Joe Hinrichs, president and chief executive of CSX (NASDAQ: CSX), in a release. “This underscores our commitment to fostering a workplace where every employee feels valued and respected. Together, as ONE...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/machinists-union-ratifies-csx-pact

US weekly rail volume falls compared to 2024

United States rail traffic fell below year-ago levels for the week ending Feb. 22, halting a string of three weeks of traffic gains.

According to statistics from the Association of American Railroads, total volume was 458,514 carloads and intermodal units, down 5.1% from the same week a year ago. That included 193,252 carloads, a 13.6% decrease, and 265,261 containers and trailers, up 2.3%.

The last time 2025 traffic was below 2024 levels was the week ending Jan. 25, off 2.5%.

All but one carload...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/us-weekly-rail-volume-falls-compared-to-2024

Tariffs call for cautious approach, rail execs say

Class I railroad chief executives told an investor conference that their crystal ball is as cloudy as anyone’s regarding the potential impact of the tariffs that President Donald Trump has threatened to impose on Mexico and Canada.

The 25% tariffs initially were due to begin this month, but Trump subsequently delayed them until March after an initial round of talks with government leaders in Mexico City and Ottawa. The president also has imposed 10% tariffs on goods imported from China, and has...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/tariffs-call-for-cautious-approach-rail-execs-say

Los resultados de Trinity Q4 caen en las entregas de vagones más bajos

Trinity Industries vio caer los ingresos y las ganancias en el cuarto trimestre en menos entregas de nuevos vagones y dijo que se espera que los aranceles estadounidenses reduzcan las entregas de la industria en un 20% en 2025. Durante los tres meses que terminan el 31 de diciembre, Trinity con...

https://fullavantenews.com/los-resultados-de-trinity-q4-caen-en-las-entregas-de-vagones-mas-bajos/?lang=es

Trinity Q4 results fall on lower railcar deliveries

Trinity Industries saw revenue and profit fall in the fourth quarter on fewer deliveries of new railcars and said U.S. tariffs are expected to cut industry deliveries by 20% in 2025.

For the three months ending Dec. 31, Dallas-based Trinity (NYSE: TRN) on Thursday reported revenue of $629 million, down from $798 million year over year, and operating profit of $112 million, off from $149 million.

Pretax earnings fell to $191 million from $225 million. Diluted earnings per share totaled 39 cents...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/trinity-q4-results-fall-on-lower-railcar-deliveries

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