In this episode of FTR’s Rail Market Update, host Joseph Towers covers: Developments related to the UP-NS merger process A recap of recent changes in North American rail traffic levels. 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

Rail Market Update - Week ending October 2, 2026

FTR | State of Freight

[SPEAKER_A] Welcome to this week's episode of FTR's Weekly Rail Market Update podcast hosted by Joseph Towers. Join Joseph as he dissects everything from market trends to economic indicators to explore how these factors are shaping the rail market landscape. Download the graphics package at ftrintel.com. Rail-podcast, and feel free to use those slides as you defend your transportation thought leadership within your own company. So buckle up as we embark on a journey through the dynamic and ever-changing world of rail. And now, here's your host, Joseph Towers.

[SPEAKER_B] Hello everyone, and welcome to this week's episode of FTR's Rail and Intermodal Update. I'm your host, Joseph Towers. This week's podcast will probably be a little short as there are only two topics of conversation that we're going to cover explicitly. First is a procedural update on the proposed UP/NS merger application, followed by an update on the latest week of AAR rail traffic data. But before jumping into the content of this week's episode, I do wanna plug two upcoming rail-centric FTR events taking place just one day apart from each other. On Monday, November the 9th, in collaboration with the Railroad Financial Corporation, we will be hosting our annual Railcar Forum in Houston, Texas. This is a very equipment-centric session that dives into both high-level and granular factors influencing rail equipment demand and financing, with topics ranging from a high-level overview of the rail equipment environment to perspectives from shippers on their equipment demand and a detailed breakdown into changes in the railcar leasing environment. Then on the next day, November 10th, FTR will host at the same hotel their annual State of Freight Symposium.

Rail Market Update - Week ending October 2, 2026

Read the full transcript

The candid version is on a podcast,
not the earnings call.

Rail Market Update - Week ending October 2, 2026

Read the full transcript

The candid version is on a podcast, not the earnings call.

The candid version is on a podcast,
not the earnings call.