Railroad News

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported weekly U.S. rail traffic, as well as volumes for February 2017.

Carload traffic in February totaled 1,044,040 carloads, up 6.7 percent or 65,141 carloads from February 2016. U.S. railroads also originated 1,068,439 containers and trailers in February 2017, up 1.8 percent or 19,350 units from the same month last year. For February 2017, combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations were 2,112,479, up 4.2 percent or 84,491 carloads and intermodal units from February 2016. 

​

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending February 18, 2017.

​

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending February 11, 2017.

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending February 4, 2017.

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 541,474 carloads and intermodal units, up 7.3 percent compared with the same week last year.

​For Immediate Release

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for January and Week Ending January 28, 2017

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Privately Owned U.S. Freight Rail Industry to Spend More Than 

$22 Billion on Network in 2017 

AAR President and CEO Touts Figures Against Backdrop of Congressional Infrastructure Hearing, Continued Discussions Within Trump Administration on Rebuilding American Transportation Systems

Washington, D.C., Feb. 1, 2017 — U.S. freight railroads are projected to spend an estimated $22 billion to maintain and upgrade the nation's private rail network in 2017, sizeable investments the industry says will strengthen an essential transportation system. 

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AAR President and CEO Statement on Confirmation of Elaine Chao as Transportation Secretary

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Jan. 31, 2017 - Edward R. Hamberger, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads (AAR), statement on the confirmation today of Elaine Chao as Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT).

"With her previous experience as DOT deputy secretary, Ms. Chao has a deep appreciation of critical surface transportation issues. This includes the important role the rail industry plays in this country and the working relationship it has with DOT agencies that oversee the industry, so, together, we can continue to move America's commerce safely and efficiently. 

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AAR President and CEO Statement on Trump Administration Executive Order Regarding Regulation and Regulatory Costs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jan. 31, 2017 – Edward R. Hamberger, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads (AAR), issued the following statement on Monday's Executive Order by the Trump Administration, "Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs."  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

AAR President and CEO Statement on Appointment of Ann Begeman as 

Acting Chairman of Surface Transportation Board

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jan. 25, 2017 – Edward R. Hamberger, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads (AAR), issued the following statement on today's appointment of Ann Begeman as Acting Chair of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board:

 "The freight rail industry congratulates Ann Begeman on being named Acting Chair of the STB and is confident in Ms. Begeman's ability to lead the Board. We hope Acting Chairman Begeman will continue to heed our request to pause all major rulemaking – most notably its misguided forced access proposal – until the Board is equipped with five, full time Board members."

​For Immediate Release

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending January 21, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 25, 2017 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending January 21, 2017.

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 530,299 carloads and intermodal units, up 8.1 percent compared with the same week last year.

For Immediate Release

AAR President and CEO Statement on Executive Orders and 

Memoranda of Trump Administration

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jan. 25, 2017 – Edward R. Hamberger, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads (AAR), statement on yesterday's actions by the Trump Administration regarding infrastructure and permitting.  

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Freight Rail Industry Issues Statement on Historic Presidential Inauguration

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 20, 2017 – The Association of American Railroads and the freight rail industry congratulates Donald J. Trump and his experienced administration on this historic day.

We are ready to work with the President in helping achieve some of his most ambitious goals, including an overhaul of our tax code, improving a sprawling and inefficient regulatory system and helping devise a sustainable and equitable funding source for the Highway Trust Fund as America looks to secure and strengthen its critical infrastructure.

For Immediate Release

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending January 14, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 18, 2017 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending January 14, 2017.

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 516,229 carloads and intermodal units, up 2 percent compared with the same week last year.

For Immediate Release

AAR Submits Reply Comments to Surface Transportation Board

Over Proposed Forced Access Regulation

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 13, 2017 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today responded to comments filed by a group of shippers pushing the Surface Transportation Board (STB) for a new regulation that would force railroads to turn their traffic over to competitor railroads.

In its reply comments, the AAR outlined to the STB how the shipper comments "…do nothing to contradict the conclusion that the Board's proposed reciprocal switching rules are unlawful…" and "…the shippers are using the proposed rule as a means of circumventing existing rate regulation standards."

​For Immediate Release

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending January 7, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 11, 2017 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending January 7, 2017.

​For Immediate Release

AAR Reports Freight Rail Traffic for 2016, December and Week Ending December 31

AAR President and CEO Previews 2017 Priorities

​For Immediate Release

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending December 24, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 28, 2016 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending December 24, 2016.

​For Immediate Release

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending December 17, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 21, 2016 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending December 17, 2016.

​For Immediate Release

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending December 10, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 14, 2016 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending December 10, 2016.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AAR President and CEO Statement on Confirmation of Ann Begeman to 

Surface Transportation Board

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Dec. 10, 2016 – Edward R. Hamberger, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads (AAR), statement on the confirmation today of Ann Begeman to another term as Surface Transportation Board (STB) Board Member.

"Since joining the STB in 2011, Ms. Begeman has brought a thoughtful approach along with years of transportation policy experience to many complex issues.  At a time of uncertainty for the rail industry and the entire economy, Board Member Begeman's true appreciation of the importance of empirical data in the decision-making process is more critical than ever for the STB going forward. The freight rail industry welcomes her reappointment."