RSI Logistics Blog

Expert resources, industry news, and actionable guides to optimize your rail freight supply chain.

Trending Blog Posts

5 Ways Shippers Can Reduce Rail Freight Costs

Are you struggling to reduce rail freight costs? You’re not alone, as many shippers face

RSI Logistics Earns Top 100 3PL Provider Recognition for 2025, Marking Five Consecutive Years of Inclusion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RSI Logistics Earns Top 100 3PL Provider Recognition for 2025, Marking Five

Blog Categories

Explore by category

Rail Education

rail education

Understand rail transportation management, rate management, and logistics. Perfect for newcomers and industry veterans.

Rail Data & Insights

rail-data-insights

Access data visualizations, industry analyses, and actionable insights for smarter rail decisions.

Rail Rates & Logistics

rail logistics

Learn negotiation strategies, benchmark rates, and optimize your rail shipping costs.

Rail Transloading & Bulk Terminals

rail tank

Deep dives into transloading, intermodal, and bulk terminal operations for efficient supply chains.

Industry News

News

Stay updated on RSI Logistics news, rail industry trends, and regulatory changes.

Additional Rail Logistics Resources

Explore our collection of free rail logistics resources, including; guides, data visualizations, rate analysis, case studies, transloading locations, and more.

Guide to Class One Railroads

Between the modes used to transport goods and commodities across North America, none are as

How Rail Freight Software like a Rail TMS Improves Supply Chains

Managing rail logistics is more challenging than ever. Freight costs are rising, service expectations are

Intermodal ISO Tanks and the Power of Rail Logistics

Optimizing supply chain logistics for bulk commodity transportation means using equipment that is efficient, sustainable,

How CN Railway’s New Carbon Charges Could Impact Rail Shippers

As sustainability and environmental responsibility continue to take center stage in global business practices, industries

Rail Infrastructure Investments in 2025 and Beyond

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is responsible for the safety and development of the critical

Be Prepared for Rail Trends with a Rail TMS

The rail logistics and transportation industry is on the brink of a new era, driven

How Rail Freight Data is Used in a Rail TMS

Rail shipping is one of the most effective modes of transportation for North American freight;

Transform Railroad Data into Insights with Rail Info

Welcome to our exploration of Rail Info, a solution developed to enhance your understanding of

Strategic Rail Data Metrics for Enhancing Logistics and Reducing Costs

As rail logistics continue to become more sophisticated, leveraging rail data has become invaluable for

Cross-Border Rail: Shipping Rail Freight Across North America

Cross-border rail freight offers a wealth of advantages for shippers, including cost savings and efficiency.

What Influences Rail Shipping Costs?

For businesses that ship by rail, understanding the intricacies of the trends that influence rail

The Ultimate Guide to Demurrage: Understanding, Managing, and Reducing Your Costs

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on demurrage, the often overlooked yet significant cost associated with

Decoding the Data and Metrics Behind Rail Freight Costs

For rail shippers, understanding the costs involved in your freight is vital to knowing how

The Ins and Outs of Rail Interchanges

The networks of the rail freight carriers involve not just the movement of goods across

Rail Tracking: The Answer to Your Unexpected Rail Freight Shipping Challenges

Here at RSI Logistics, we believe in the power of proactive rail management and rail

How to Ship by Rail for Beginners

Recently we have seen an increase in businesses interested in exploring the potential of shipping

Strategies to Improve Your Freight Rate Negotiation

One of the most critical yet challenging steps of any logistics professional’s job is securing

The Basics of Railcar Storage: A Comprehensive Introduction

What is Railcar Storage Railcar storage is a service offered by certain facilities where railway

Selecting a Rail Transload Facility

If you’re a freight shipper of any kind, it’s likely that at some point in

Navigating the Railroad Shutdown Request Process

Rail shipping logistics can be an intricate world, and especially when the flow of materials

10 Rail Logistics Cost Reduction Strategies

Reducing logistics spending can be an uphill battle, especially in the railroad industry. Many areas

Navigating Rail Embargoes: Understanding, Preparation, and Best Practices

Railroad embargoes are critical tools utilized by railroads that allow them to manage various operational

Railroad Cost Indexes Explained

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the Surface Transportation Board (STB) calculate several indexes

Understanding the STB’s Reciprocal Switching Ruling

In a landmark decision that promises to reshape the landscape of freight rail in the

Railroad Operating Ratio and How They Price

Railroads will tell you they “price to the market.” But whose market is it, yours

Streamlining Rail Shipping with Rail Automation

Freight transportation forms the backbone of North American commerce, ensuring the efficient movement of goods

The Advantages of Rail vs Truck Shipping

  Finding the optimal shipping modes and routes can help you reduce shipping costs substantially

Mastering the Transportation of Intermodal Freight

Throughout the freight shipping industry, the transportation of intermodal freight is powering the efficiency of

How Technology is Transforming Rail Security

As a freight rail shipper, you are part of the lifeblood of global trade, where

Rail Terminology Made Simple: Your Glossary of Terms

Navigating through various fields of study or industry sectors often involves mastering a whole new

Comparing the Costs of Rail Shipping vs Truck

Companies that transport dry and liquid commodities utilize the modes of truck, rail, barge, ocean

Green Rail: Is Rail Better for the Environment than Trucks?

As green logistics becomes more prominent and business look for ways to reduce their environmental

How Rail Shipping is Changing the Way we Receive Goods

Come 2024, all signs point to rail being the way to go for shipping. Why’s

Rail Freight Industry Review: Biggest News of 2023

Welcome to our comprehensive Rail Freight Industry Review for 2023! This blog provides in-depth insights

Preparing for 2024: A Critical Period for Railcar Maintenance and Qualification

Welcome to our comprehensive analysis of railcar maintenance and qualification, focusing on the fast-approaching milestone

What is Rail Logistics and Why Does it Matter

Navigating the world of rail logistics might appear daunting, especially for newcomers to the industry.

3 Common Reasons Your Rail Freight Isn’t Working and How to Fix It

In the ever-evolving rail shipping industry, businesses face myriad challenges. One prominent challenge is managing

Rail Rates in Focus: Insights from the 2023 Third Quarter Railway Results

In today’s complex and rapidly evolving rail shipping industry, understanding the financial performance of railroads

Securing Rail Freight Operations: The Rail Command® Advantage

In the world of rail freight operations, data security is crucial. At RSI Logistics, we

Seven Up-and-Coming Trends in Rail Logistics

Rail logistics is changing fast, with many new ideas and technologies either coming into play

The Role of Data Analytics in Rail Freight Tracking and Tracing

Effective tracking and tracing of rail freight is essential for seamless transportation operations and cost

The Inside Track: The Value of Industry Expertise in Rail TMS Development

With the advent of Transportation Management Systems (TMS), businesses have experienced a paradigm shift in

Enhancing Supply Chain Visibility: The Role of Rail Freight Tracking

In the modern landscape where e-commerce and global trade are witnessing exponential growth, effective supply

Preparing for Hurricane Season: A Yearly Guide for the Rail Shipping Industry

When it comes to weathering storms, both literally and metaphorically, the rail shipping industry encounters

Iron Rails and Digital Challenges: The Transformation of Rail Freight Tracking Over the Years

The rapidly evolving landscape of rail freight tracking technology has seen several monumental breakthroughs over

Boosting Your Bottom Line: Six Benefits of Bulk Transloading

From cost efficiency and time savings to flexibility, improved accessibility, warehousing benefits, and environmental sustainability,

Introduction to Railcar Types

Rail freight transportation plays a crucial role in the supply chain of North America, allowing

The Value of Rail Data

In today’s fast-paced and highly competitive business landscape, information is a valuable asset. The ability

Unlocking the Benefits of Rail Shipping

In today’s global marketplace, efficient and reliable logistics solutions are vital for you to succeed.

Ask an Expert – 6 Answers to Your Questions About Rail Logistics

In this blog post, we’ll be answering six common questions that shippers and logistics professionals

Use the Waybill Sample Data to Grow Your Business

Rail waybills are an important aspect of rail shipping and are typically issued on collection

The Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern Merger: Unveiling a New Era for Rail Shippers

The recent merger between Canadian Pacific Railway (CPRS) and the Kansas City Southern (KCS) has

2022 State of Railcar Repair Shops

Whether you own or lease railcars, eventually your railcars will need to be sent to

Surface Transportation Board and the Union Pacific’s Use of Embargoes

The Surface and Transportation Board (STB) has scheduled a meeting for December 13th and 14th,

7 Rail Shipping Insights to Pay Attention to

As with any industry, data and the knowledge that comes from data is important. Whether

How to Prepare for Winter as a Rail Shipper

Inclement weather will challenge all rail freight customers at some point. Hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, and

5 Places to Find Rail Industry Data and Insights

Good data helps you make informed decisions, measure your goals, find solutions to problems, and

What is Rail Shipping Demurrage and How to Dispute It

Railroad demurrage is a charge that compensates the rail carriers when railcars are held in

How to Prepare Your Rail Supply Chain for Hurricanes

In August of 2021, Hurricane Ida hit New Orleans, a major rail shipping hub. The

What is an Embargo and How Can You Prepare for Them?

Have you ever been to the grocery store and noticed the check-out lines just keep

What is Rail Fuel Surcharge and Why is it Important?

A topic on everyone’s mind recently is fuel. Fuel impacts all of us, whether in

Rail Shipping Service and the Presidential Emergency Board

Ongoing Updates September 12th, 2022 More of the labor unions have agreed to tentative agreements

Maintain Your Railcar Fleet and Overcome Challenges

At RSI Logistics, our experienced staff keep informed of industry news that can affect your

Celebrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Rail Industry

A common phrase that is growing in importance amongst organizations is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Intermodal vs Transloading and When to Use Each

Whether you are shipping over long or short distances, getting your products from one place

Benefits of Right Sizing Your Fleet

If you own or lease your railcars, it is important to understand how many railcars

When to Identify Alternative Rail Routes

Every time we get an opportunity, we assert that rail transportation can often help you

Railroad Service Issues in 2022

As a third-party logistics provider that specializes in bulk rail transportation in North America, we

How to Speed Up Your Supply Chain

Multiple supply chain disruptions across the last two years have created challenges for logistics professionals.

How Supply Chain Managers Can Navigate Truck Driver Shortages

Supply chain slowdowns continue to present challenges for logistics experts around the world. Truck driver

Strategies to Reduce Demurrage

No one likes to pay demurrage and storage charges. For some shippers, demurrage charges are

Celebrating Pullman Porters in the Rail Industry

RSI Logistics, Inc. continues to celebrate Black History Month by honoring the rail industry Pullman

Celebrating Black Pioneers in the Rail Industry

Black History Month is a time to commemorate and reflect on the remarkable achievements of

Carta Porte Mexican Tax Changes and How to Prepare

New Carta Porte Information Additional changes to the Carta Porte, as mandated by the Mexican

UP Petitions STB to Reject CP-KCS Merger Application

On November 19th the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) submitted a petition to the Surface Transportation

RSI Logistics and R. J. Corman Railroad Company Strategic and Marketing Partnership

RSI Logistics, Inc. is delighted to announce a new strategic partnership with R. J. Corman

The Move from OT-5 to OT-57

In February of 2020, OT-57 was introduced by Railinc. The Loading Authority OT-57 system provides

5 Marketing Ideas for Short Line Railroads

You want to run an efficient short line railroad, and making sure operations run smoothly

How to Increase Short Line Profitability and Negotiate with Class 1 Railroads

Fair rates with Class 1 railroads are important for short line railroad profitability. But when

Canadian National Withdraws Merger Plans with the Kansas City Southern

The September 12th acceptance of the Canadian Pacific’s (CP) $31 billion merger offer for the

How Short Line Railroads Can Provide Value-Added Insights to Customers

Strengthening relationships with shippers along your short line railroad often means increasing railcar volume, improving

Complications of Inaccurate Data in Rail Shipping

One of the most important aspects of shipping by rail is accurate data. Since shipping

Factors That Affect Your Railcar Shipments

When tracking railcars, there are several components that determine how complex your rail shipping is

Executive Order: Focus on Enhancing Rail Competition

On July 9, 2021, President Joe Biden released specifics concerning his Executive Order to promote

Why Complete Tank Car Qualifications Early in the Year

Bulk shipping by rail is no easy task. As shippers, whether you lease or own

Update on CSX’s Pan Am Railways and Quality Carriers Acquisition

CSX Transportation has had a busy start to July 2021, particularly, regarding its acquisitions of

National Industrial Transportation League Statement on the Kansas City Southern Merger

NITL Statement The National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) is the nation’s oldest and largest freight

Transloading Equipment Requirements: What to Look for in a Transloading Facility

Transload facilities load and unload many different types of materials, from canned foods and bulk

Canadian Pacific and Canadian National Faceoff for the Kansas City Southern

(updated May 24th, 2021) Tuesday, April 20th the Canadian National (CN) offered to acquire the

6 Tips for Maintaining Food Safety in Rail Transit

Rail is a reliable shipping mode for many different types of materials, including food. Maintaining

CSXT Transportation & Quality Carriers Strike a Deal: What Shippers Need to Know

CSX Corporation announced Wednesday May 12th, that it has signed an agreement with Quality Distribution

What is Rail Fuel Surcharge and Why is it Important?

What is Rail Fuel Surcharge? Simply put, Fuel Surcharge is a tool that was designed

Canadian Pacific & Kansas City Southern Announce Merger Plans

The Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) announced that both Class I

Rail Industry Update

As the year 2020 was winding down, we were all quick to look ahead to

Winter Safety – Preparing Your Rail Served Facility

Inclement weather will likely challenge all rail customers at some point. With winter weather fast

Rule 11 Railroad Rates Benefit Shippers

Are the railroads telling you they want Through Rates converted to Rule 11? If so,

5 Tips for Effectively Negotiating Rail Freight Rates

Understanding how the railroads price your commodity is a starting point for determining your ability

NEARS 2020 Conference Recap

The North East Association of Rail Shippers (NEARS) hosted its annual fall conference remotely September

Hurricane Update & Railroad Preparedness

Hurricanes cause more damage than any other type of weather catastrophe. These storms destroy homes

Rail Shipping Rate Quote Delays And Rate Increases Amid COVID-19 Outbreak

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed workplaces and lifestyles across every industry around the globe. Railroad

Have the Railroads Stopped Negotiating?

Are the railroads telling you that privately negotiated contract rates are reverting to public tariffs?

Safety and Compliance for Hazardous Materials by Rail: What You Need to Know

Shipping hazardous materials can be dangerous and can have serious consequences when done incorrectly. When

Bulk Terminal Strategy

Background on Bulk Terminals Transloading is the process of transferring a shipment from one mode of

Norfolk Southern Postpones April-2020 Demurrage & Storage Changes

On December 1, 2019 the Norfolk Southern announced revisions to their NS 6004-D Demurrage and

RSI Logistics Assumes Operations of Two Norfolk Southern Thoroughbred Bulk Terminals

  RSI Logistics Inc. (RSI) through its bulk terminal division, RSI Leasing Inc. has been

STB Proposed Rule Changes – Rail Service Metrics, Cost of Capital

STB staying true to their promise of proactive action On September 30th, the Surface Transportation

Recap of Midwest Association of Rail Shippers Summer Meeting

Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) was the main topic of discussion at the Midwest Association of

Genesee & Wyoming Exploring Strategic Options

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (NYSE: GWR), the global rail short line holding company that owns

Railroad Demurrage – STB Hearing on May 22-23

It’s no secret that railroad demurrage charges and private car storage charges have become a

Rail Freight Rates – STB Rate Reform Task Force Issues its Report

In January 2018 Chairman Ann Begeman formed a Rail Rate Reform Task Force to recommend

Rising Demurrage Rates Prompts STB to Schedule Hearing

On a daily basis we speak with shippers that are looking for ways to improve

Railcar Tracking Metrics for Shippers

Logistics managers are tasked with realizing more throughput from existing assets, and rationalizing private fleets

Railcar Tracking Data in Recent Months

Monitoring railroad tracking performance data of delays by railroad allows you to understand what is

Hurricane Gordon Update

9/5/18 Update: Tropical Storm Gordon made landfall on the Gulf Coast along the Mississippi and

RSI Logistics Announces the Acquisition of Specialized Transportation Service

RSI Logistics, Inc. (RSI) is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of

Tracking Railroad Performance Metrics

Have you checked out RSI’s Railroad Performance Metrics? Monitoring railroad tracking performance data of delays

Benefits to Outsourcing Rail Logistics Functions

Many companies have made the decision to outsource their trucking, intermodal, or warehousing to third

Recap of the 2018 NITL Summit

National Transportation League Summit – Dallas, TX (January 29-31, 2018) “From its beginnings in 1907,

Product Spillage on Railcars

For customers that we provide railcar maintenance services to, product spillage on railcars is sometimes

Rail Trends Conference Recap

The 2017 annual RailTrends event hosted in New York City November 30th to December 1st

Petrochemical Supply Chain & Logistics Conference – Dec. 2017

RSI will be exhibiting at the Petrochemical Supply Chain & Logistics conference next week being

Rail Rate Tariff Renewals

As the last month of Quarter 3 closes in, railroad freight rates have continued to

Should You Bundle Your Moves When Negotiating Rail Rates?

Being strategic with your rail rate negotiations means establishing goals for your current and future

Maximize Your Rail Rate Negotiation Leverage

  As a follow up to the Rail Rate Guide that we published last month, here are some

STB Announces Railroad Cost of Capital for 2016

On August 7th the Surface Transportation Board (STB) announced they had determined the railroad industry’s

Changes to NS Tariffs for Car Storage and Improperly Loaded Cars

The NS announced that they are making to their Demurrage, Accessorial and Switching Tariffs effective October

CSX Service Concerns

CSX’s performance has declined over the past year and we’ve noticed more problems since they began

How Closely Should You Track Your Railcar Shipments?

How closely you monitor your rail shipment tracking can be related to several factors – the characteristics

CN Revises Optional Services Tariffs

CN is implementing changes to their Optional Services tariffs, which will take effect on February

Career Outlook for Logistics & Supply Chain Management

By David Riddell Last week I had the opportunity to hear a presentation by Nick

Rail Logistics Journal

Industry Volume Data As the month of August has officially come to a close, we

Rail Logistics Journal

Industry Volume Data With Week 28 in the books, the Association of American Railroads (AAR)

GLBR – Rail Project Offers an Alternative to Rail Congestion Through Chicago

On July 5th the Surface Transportation told Great Lakes Basin Transportation that they must submit

AAR – Rail Traffic Report (6/25/16)

The AAR reports that the total rail traffic YTD is down 7.5% compared to last

STB Seeks Comments on Expediting Rate Cases

On June 15, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Railroad Carload and Tonnage Data, by State

The Surface Transportation Board’s Office of Economics has made public a report providing annual carload

Have your rail rate increases been higher than the railroads’ average?

Each quarter the Surface Transportation Board makes available data from the seven Class 1 railroads,

Rail Traffic Volume YTD Week 14

Total traffic for North American railroads as reported by AAR is down 6.6% compared to

Overall Rail Traffic Volume Decreased in March

The rail freight shipment volume across the network has steadily declined since the end of

Rail Freight Tariff Announcements

RSI monitors rail rates across a number of industries as we assist companies in managing

Railroad Cost Indexes

(Note:  Updated cost index data can be viewed on this page.) Data from two rail

Delayed Trains and Held Cars

The chart below is the last 12+ months of performance reporting that Class I rail

STB Reauthorization Act of 2015

On December 21st, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) announced details of the Board’s implementation of

Law Passed to Extend PTC Deadline

On October 29, 2015 the President signed a new transportation funding bill – H.R.3819 –

PTC – Potential TIH Embargo

A number of our customers have been asking us about the Positive Train Control (PTC)

Have Your Rate Increases Been Higher Than The Railroads’ Average?

Every quarter the Surface Transportation Board makes available data from the seven Class I railroads,

Railroad Fuel Surcharge Changes

CSXT announced last July that they were going to re-baseline their mileage based fuel surcharge

Union Pacific Empty Shop Provision (Tariff: UP 6004 Item 55)

Historically, railroads do not charge for the movement of empty tank cars. The industry’s Freight

Railcar Congestion and Delays Continue

Rail congestion and slow transit times continue to be an issue, particularly around Chicago and

Rail Rates on Car Blocks and Unit Trains: Benefits to Railroad > Opportunity to Shipper

Shipping multiple cars at a time provides benefits to the railroad that could translate into

CSX to Re-Baseline Fuel Surcharge Rates

CSX’s fuel surcharge in August is 48 cents per mile. CSX indexes their fuel surcharge

Proposed Rulings for Enhanced Tank Car Standards and Flammable Commodities

On July 23rd the U.S. Department of Transporation released two rulemaking proposals pertaining to shipping

Railcar Delays

If you regularly ship railcars you’ve probably noticed slower transit times this year. Rail carriers