Association of American Railroads

10/21/2026

ICYMI: Rail traffic growth continues across much of the economy. According to AAR's Policy & Economics Team, 17 of 20 major carload categories recorded year-over-year gains in September, the most in five years. September also marked the ninth straight month of total carload growth, with carloads generally at levels not seen since 2019. Read the full report via the link in the comments.

10/20/2026

What does cybersecurity look like on a modern freight railroad?

In “The Signal” #202, we're taking a closer look through a new video on how freight railroads are protecting critical systems from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

Plus, explore:

📊 New Rail Industry Overview insights
📋 The latest policy developments impacting rail
👷 An inspiring railroader spotlight

📬 Read the full newsletter and subscribe to get it delivered directly to your inbox. Link in the comments.

10/20/2026

Thank you, Rep. David Rouzer. Freight rail is essential to North Carolina's economy and America's supply chain. With 2,751 miles of freight rail across the state, railroads connect businesses, manufacturers, farmers and ports to markets throughout the Southeast and around the world. Investments that strengthen the freight rail network help keep goods moving efficiently, support local jobs, enhance supply chain resilience and ensure businesses of all sizes can compete and grow.

Our nation's rail network plays a critical role in moving freight and supporting American businesses.

I'm proud to have worked with R.J. Corman Railroad Group to secure federal funding to modernize rail lines, create more reliable service, and build stronger connections to the national freight network across North Carolina and the Southeast region.

10/20/2026

One project. Big impact.

The Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program (CREATE)'s Forest Hill Flyover is helping reduce congestion at one of the Chicago region's busiest rail bottlenecks, improving reliability for both freight and passenger rail.

That's why it's been named one of 12 finalists in AASHTO's 2026 America's Transportation Awards People's Choice competition.

Join us in supporting the Forest Hill Flyover in the People's Choice competition. Vote once a day through Nov. 15 and help spotlight a project that's making a difference for commuters, communities and the supply chain.

🔗 Voting link in the comments.

10/15/2026

U.S. railroads are on the move! Our Policy and Economics team reports total U.S. rail traffic up 7.2% for the week ending October 10, 2026, compared with the same week last year.

Key highlights this week:

🪨 Metallic Ores and Metals: + 19.7%

🪵 Forest Products: + 9.6%

🚗️ Motor Vehicles and Parts: + 9.4%

📦 Carloads: +3.4 % year-over-year 🚛 Intermodal: +10.4% year-over-year

Link in comments ⬇️⬇️

10/15/2026

The numbers tell a compelling story. Record intermodal volumes. Broad-based carload growth. Manufacturing momentum. Despite ongoing challenges, freight demand continues to show resilience.

Dive into the latest Rail Industry Overview (RIO) and subscribe to have future editions delivered straight to your inbox: https://www.aar.org/rail-industry-overview/

10/14/2026

Forty-six years ago, policymakers recognized that outdated regulations were preventing freight rail from meeting the needs of a modern economy. The Staggers Act helped usher in a new era of investment, safer operations, stronger service, and greater efficiency.

The Staggers Rail Act didn't look backward. It looked forward.

Today, as new technologies reshape transportation and supply chains continue to evolve, that same spirit of modernization is needed. The lesson of Staggers is clear: effective regulation should enable progress, not stand in its way.

Watch Harley explain the legacy of the Staggers Act and what its lessons can teach policymakers about preparing freight rail for the future!

10/13/2026

Just released: AAR's Policy & Economics Team’s October 2026 Rail Industry Overview. Intermodal traffic continued its record-setting run in September, helping make Q3 2026 the highest-volume quarter ever for U.S. intermodal.
U.S. railroads originated nearly 295,000 intermodal containers and trailers per week in September, while the AAR Freight Rail Index reached its second-highest level ever. Read the full report via the link in the comments.

10/09/2026

Diesel prices have reached record highs, and freight transportation patterns are responding.

A recent Washington Post report examines how rising trucking costs are making rail a more attractive option for some shipments, contributing to record intermodal volumes across the U.S.

Read the full story at the link in the comments!

10/09/2026

From farm products and manufacturing inputs to everyday consumer goods, America's supply chain depends on freight moving securely from origin to destination.

In a new The Gazette op-ed, Former American Trucking Associations President & CEO Chris Spear and AAR President & CEO Ian Jefferies highlight the growing threat of organized cargo theft and why stronger tools are needed to help combat increasingly sophisticated criminal networks targeting the nation's freight system.

Read the full article at the link in the comments!