Due to strong domestic and export demand, grain shippers are facing railroad delays to the Pacific Northwest. National Grain and Feed Association President and CEO Randall Gordon says railroad companies idled crews and locomotive power during the height of the pandemic and it takes time to ramp up again. “We’re starting to see spot incidents anecdotally of service delays in the Upper Plains, particularly into the export market in the PNW and the flour mills in Portland, Los Angeles and other areas.” Gordon says there has been challenges in securing rail cars and shuttle trains. Issues with major carriers have also impacted shortline railroads. “We’re starting to get those troubling indicators that this is a situation we need to watch closely.”
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