EPISODE · Jan 9, 2026 · 14 MIN
Rail Market Update - Week ending January 9, 2026
from FTR | State of Freight · host FTR | Joseph Towers
In this episode Joseph Towers opens the year with a comprehensive review of full-year 2025 rail traffic, highlighting modest overall growth driven by grains and coal, continued softness in industrial commodities such as metals and forest products, and a largely flat outlook for motor vehicles heading into 2026. He then walks through the latest procedural developments surrounding the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger, outlining what remains in the Surface Transportation Board review process and the likely timeline for a decision. The episode closes with an overview of the STB’s new proposal to eliminate Part 1144, a move aimed at easing access to reciprocal switching and increasing rail competition, setting up key regulatory and market themes to watch as 2026 unfolds.The Rail Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Senior Analyst, Rail, Joseph Towers. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by downloading the PDF of the presentation.Download the PDF: https://www.ftrintel.com/rail-podcast Support the show
What this episode covers
In this episode Joseph Towers opens the year with a comprehensive review of full-year 2025 rail traffic, highlighting modest overall growth driven by grains and coal, continued softness in industrial commodities such as metals and forest products, and a largely flat outlook for motor vehicles heading into 2026. He then walks through the latest procedural developments surrounding the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger, outlining what remains in the Surface Transportation Board revi...
NOW PLAYING
Rail Market Update - Week ending January 9, 2026
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.