• New Mexican regulation: Requires GPS tracking (updating every 30 seconds) and large QR codes on all U.S. petroleum exports to Mexico transported by rail or truck. Railcars without GPS must comply within 30 days — a tight and challenging timeline.
•  QR code mandate: Took effect September 25, 2025, giving shippers only 20 business days to apply codes after receiving them from the government.
• Traffic Trends: Total North American rail traffic rose 0.3% YoY — carloads up 1.5%, intermodal down 0.8%.
• Commodity highlights: Gains in grain (+10%), non-metallic minerals (+9.7%), motor vehicles (+7.4%), petroleum (+5.5%), and chemicals (+4.1%). Declines in metallic ores/metals (−10.8%) and forest products (−5.6%).
• Intermodal trends: U.S. intermodal down 3.3% YoY; Canada up 0.8%; Mexico’s GMX up a striking 60.5%, marking its strongest volume of 2025.

 The Rail Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Senior Analyst, Rail, Joseph Towers.  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 

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