Why Rail Freight Is Becoming the New Bottleneck

Episode 44 of The Supply Chain Economy explores a shift in US freight: while trucking struggles and ports clear, rail networks are hitting capacity. Lucas and Luna examine how a 3.2 percent increase in intermodal volume in April 2026, combined with crew shortages and aging infrastructure, is creating delays from Chicago to the West Coast. They look at the economics behind the squeeze—why rail rates are rising even as overall freight demand softens—and what it means for shippers and consumers. The hosts also touch on how the war in Iran is driving rerouting of container ships to West Coast ports, adding pressure. With concrete data from the Association of American Railroads and recent earnings calls, this episode gives listeners a clear picture of a hidden chokepoint. #RailFreight #SupplyChain #Logistics #Intermodal #FreightDelays #USRail #Bottleneck #Shipping #PortCongestion #Economics #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Transportation #Infrastructure #CrewShortage #WestCoastPorts #Trade #SupplyChainEconomy Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo