Kansas City Southern tweaks KPIs to focus on shippers

The changes in metrics represent small revisions that frame the elements of speed and dwell from the customer's point of view. 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 8, 2019

Warren Buffett 'not above copying' other railroads on PSR

This openness to precision-scheduled railroading is a change in attitude for BNSF, which has, up to this point, seemed happy to watch the machinations of other railroads on the PSR path. 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 7, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Supply Chain Dive

Here’s how companies are navigating rising costs, network changes and logistics disruptions across global supply chain networks.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Canadian National's future acquisitions will 'feed the beast'

The railroad's March acquisition of trucking company TransX took its toll on some key indicators, but CEO JJ Ruest is confident the move will pay off in the long run. 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 1, 2019

Railroads blame PSR, harsh weather for muted intermodal growth

Operational strategies play a major role in volumes, leading railroads to experience the fading out of the intermodal boom of 2018 very differently.

By Emma Cosgrove • April 29, 2019

Norfolk Southern decreases dwell time 23% with PSR transition underway

The railroad touted the early work it has done to streamline its network while making clear that the bulk of the work to drastically increase the railroad's efficiency and reliability is yet to come. 

By Emma Cosgrove • April 25, 2019

Canadian Pacific 'encouraged' by PSR adoption in US

The hallmarks of PSR, such as schedule reliability and train velocity, benefit shippers and railroads beyond a single network and ultimately create additional capacity, said CEO Keith Creel.

By Emma Cosgrove • April 24, 2019

Union Pacific completes first of 3 PSR transition stages

The railroad is still "refining" its schedule and changes could still be "significant," said executives. 

By Emma Cosgrove • April 22, 2019

Kansas City Southern: PSR transition will benefit customers

The customer-focused messaging from KCS comes after other railroads' transitions to PSR that caused an uproar due to service changes and poor communication. 

By Emma Cosgrove • April 18, 2019

CSX posts decline in intermodal revenue after lane cuts

Executives said the railroad's current focus was not on volume growth, but on profitable growth.

By Emma Cosgrove • April 17, 2019

Freight associations warn White House about border slowdown consequences

A letter from 18 associations warns restricting the flow of goods at the U.S.-Mexico border will "inflict significant harm to our nation’s economy and the millions of American jobs that depend on cross-border trade."

By Emma Cosgrove • April 8, 2019

Canadian National acquires trucking firm TransX

The deal represents a change in strategy for the railroad and a move toward a seamless, vertically-integrated service offering for shippers.

By Emma Cosgrove • March 26, 2019

Weather or trade? Cause of rail volume dip 'impossible to know'

Intermodal shipments, though not immune to the forces that stifle rail traffic, are proving to be less susceptible, even as their prolific rise of 2018 subsides.

By Emma Cosgrove • March 18, 2019

Walmart stands up container fleet, uses drivers for drayage

The retailer has been pleasantly surprised by the extra efficiency gained by taking more control of intermodal loads.

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 15, 2019

BNSF boosts spending with eyes on intermodal

Work will focus on BNSF's Northern and Southern Transcon routes, connecting Southern California with Chicago and the Pacific Northwest to Upper Midwest respectively — key routes for intermodal traffic. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 15, 2019

Union Pacific to cut 250 employees, citing PSR

Another 450 employees have been furloughed in an effort to cut costs as the company reduces locomotives and leans out. 

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 14, 2019

Norfolk Southern lays out dramatic transition to PSR

It plans to reach full PSR implementation by 2021 and acknowledges some customers could be shed along the way. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 12, 2019

Goya to open second warehouse in Florida after first is 'maxed out'

The company looks to save on freight by building closer to a rail siding, as intermodal traffic exerts growing force on industrial real estate. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 11, 2019

Rail sets sights on trucking volumes for growth

Executives at the Association for American Railroads said intermodal shipments are rail's largest commodities, and that growth can't happen without the trucking industry.

By Shefali Kapadia • Feb. 8, 2019

Dip in rail volume offers reality check for industry

With trucking capacity showing some signs of recovering and continued machinations around trade in Washington, explosive intermodal growth is looking slightly less certain today.

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 4, 2019

3 ways to lay the track for real-time data in rail

Sensors and blockchain can put the rail shippers on the path to real-time visibility, but only if they're willing to compromise on legacy systems.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 29, 2019

Union Pacific's customer conversations 'haven't been easy' amid PSR transition

CEO Lance Fritz said he's focused on efficiencies and improvement, as the railroad gradually implements precision scheduled railroading in three phases. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 28, 2019

Canadian railroads to be investigated for freight discrimination

Canadian National and Canadian Pacific have pledged to fully comply with the investigation and the stakes are high — especially if the result could trigger more regulation.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 23, 2019

CSX exec issues apology to shippers for 'collateral damage' of PSR transition

Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Mark Wallace said the railroad is renewing its focus on customer service and aiming to be an integral part of the entire supply chain.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 18, 2019

CSX 'hopes' no more lanes will be cut soon

Railroad executives said they're focused on "delivering superior service" and converting more shippers from truck to rail. 

By Edwin Lopez • Jan. 17, 2019

BNSF chair: Railroading is in a sweet spot ... Don't screw it up

Matthew Rose painted a sunny picture of the industry he's leaving but offered warnings for those attempting to build on current good times. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 17, 2019