(BNSF Photograph)

AAR: U.S. Carloads, Intermodal Up Slightly for Week 30

U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 26, 2025 (Week 30) came in at 514,279 carloads and intermodal units, rising 1.1% from the same week last year, based on 231,029 carloads—up

(FRA Logo)

FRA Regulatory Roundup

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has withdrawn the direct final rule concerning accident/incident investigations and published guidance on agency-funded railroad capital projects, according to the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA).

AAR: North American Rail Volume Up Through Week 29

North American carload and intermodal traffic for the first 29 weeks of 2025 (ending July 19) was up 2.9% from the prior-year period, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) latest rail traffic report. While the United States and Canada both saw gains, Mexico experienced a loss.

(Logo Courtesy of the STB)

Railroad Cost of Capital Set at 10.68% for 2024

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has determined that the cost of capital for the railroad industry, which is calculated each year, was 10.68% for 2024.

(Norfolk Southern Photograph)

AAR: North American Rail Volume Up Through Week 28

North American carload and intermodal traffic for the first 28 weeks of 2025 (ending July 12) was up 2.9% from the prior-year period, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) latest rail traffic report. While the United States and Canada both saw gains, Mexico experienced a loss.

Ian Jefferies, President and CEO, Association of American Railroads (Photograph Courtesy of the AAR)
Commentary

Unlocking the Next Era of Rail Innovation Requires a Modern Policy Framework

As Innovation Week comes to a close, few sectors better illustrate the quiet power of American ingenuity than freight rail—where century-old infrastructure is being reimagined with cutting-edge technology to move goods more safely, efficiently, and sustainably than ever before.

(CISA Logo)

CISA Issues EoT, HoT Device Advisory

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released an Industrial Control Systems (ICS) advisory regarding End-of-Train (EoT) and Head-of-Train (HoT) devices.

AAR: U.S. Rail Traffic Up for Week 27

Total U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 5, 2025 (Week 27) was up 5.0% from the prior-year period, with gains in both carloads and intermodal volume, according to the Association of American Railroad’s (AAR) latest report.

Class I Briefs: BNSF, UP, CN

BNSF recognizes five states for excellence in grade crossing safety. Also, Union Pacific’s (UP) Bailey Yard hosts senior leaders for a field visit; and CN partners with the Société du chemin de fer de la Gaspésie (SCFG) to ensure continued affordability and mobility of rail service in Quebec.

(Screen Grab from CSX Video)

U.S. Rail Traffic Falls Slightly in Week 26

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) in reporting freight rail traffic for the week ending June 28, 2025 (Week 26), noted that total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 491,424 carloads and intermodal units, down 0.2% from the prior-year period.

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