U.S. rail traffic for 2013 saw record intermodal growth with a slight full year decrease in carloadings, according to the Association of American Railroads.

In discussing how the business model at Canadian National Railway has changed over the last 10 years or so, Claude Mongeau, CEO at CN, recognized the importance of the supply chain.

Resilience and resourcefulness are two terms that have become closely associated with North American railroads in recent years. The industry has emerged from the worst economic recession since the Great Depression in relatively solid shape, and enters 2013 positioned for growth.