Podcast
Talk Track by Telegraph
Hosted by Telegraph · EN
Talk Track, hosted by Harris Ligon + David Correll of Telegraph™, is a spin-off series dedicated to timely rail industry news. From service shakeups to technology breakthroughs, each episode delivers a behind-the-scenes perspective on all the happenings shaping the future of freight rail.
Harris + David will bring their decades of rail experience to help them parse through the latest industry headlines, evolving regulations, + the long-term forecasts for how railroads move freight across North America. Find us at telegraph.io/insights, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
About Telegraph
Telegraph is a leader in delivering digital solutions to railroads, shippers, logistics service providers, terminals, + railcar leasing companies. With an integrated platform that provides price transparency, shipment visibility, + proactive business intelligence, Telegraph empowers customers, and makes shipping by rail easier + more effective. For more details, visit www.telegraph.io and follow us on LinkedIn.
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Reading the Revised UP-NS Filing: Fewer Intermodal Units, Fewer Jobs + A Whole Lot More Questions
6d ago00:23:37Tap to summarizeThe headline agreements are largely done. Now it’s time for the fine print.In our latest episode, David + Harris walk through the revised UP–NS filing + find the numbers moving in one direction: diverted intermodal units revised down, projected job creation revised down, + a plan for job cuts sitting right alongside an advertising campaign promising a “job for life”. As Harris points out, a guarantee that you will have a job is not exactly a guarantee on what or where that job will be.The conversation also covers CPKC’s Q2 earnings call + their pointed response to the recent UN-CN concessions, as well as committed gateway pricing that comes with an expiration date attached. Plus: the prediction David keeps making that lands very differently inside the industry than outside it - whether or not we will see a US government equity stake in the first modern transcontinental railroad.Talk Track, hosted by Harris Ligon + David Correll of Telegraph™, is a spin-off series dedicated to timely rail industry news. From service shakeups to technology breakthroughs, each episode delivers a behind-the-scenes perspective on all the happenings shaping the future of freight rail. Harris + David will bring their decades of rail experience to help them parse through the latest industry headlines, evolving regulations, + the long-term forecasts for how railroads move freight across North America. Find us at telegraph.io/insights, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. About Our HostsHarris Ligon is the co-founder + CEO of Telegraph. Prior to launching Telegraph, he spent nearly 15 years in surface transportation at Uber Freight, Norfolk Southern, + BNSF Railway. During this time, he led teams in operations, strategy, business development, + product development. David Correll is the Director of Freight Market Intelligence at Telegraph. He has spent two decades in transportation and logistics with the US Department of Transportation, the US Department of Energy, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Clark University.About TelegraphTelegraph is a leader in delivering digital solutions to railroads, shippers, logistics service providers, terminals, + railcar leasing companies. With an integrated platform that prov...
Transcribe →Merger Update: CN Settlement, Q2 Earnings Calls + the Importance of Chicago
2w ago00:27:49Tap to summarizeChicago has always been the bottleneck. CN’s decision to no longer oppose the UP-NS merger comes with better Mexico access for CN, terminal ownership, + a few other perks…but UP gains running rights over the all-important former EJ&E, which is conveniently the fastest way around Chicago. Harris + David unpack what that concession reveals: if the merger needed a bypass bolted onto it, perhaps the merger was never actually going to fix the problems in Chicago in the first place. Also on the table: Q2 earnings, where volumes are up across the board (though Harris argues the story is being written on the truck side, not the rail side, as capacity exits + rates climb), as well as data centers, the building boom they have unleashed, + how that looks with crews at a seasonal low.Sinclair called Chicago the Jungle. The stockyards may be long gone, but the congestion remains the same.Talk Track, hosted by Harris Ligon + David Correll of Telegraph™, is a spin-off series dedicated to timely rail industry news. From service shakeups to technology breakthroughs, each episode delivers a behind-the-scenes perspective on all the happenings shaping the future of freight rail. Harris + David will bring their decades of rail experience to help them parse through the latest industry headlines, evolving regulations, + the long-term forecasts for how railroads move freight across North America. Find us at telegraph.io/insights, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. About Our HostsHarris Ligon is the co-founder + CEO of Telegraph. Prior to launching Telegraph, he spent nearly 15 years in surface transportation at Uber Freight, Norfolk Southern, + BNSF Railway. During this time, he led teams in operations, strategy, business development, + product development. David Correll is the Director of Freight Market Intelligence at Telegraph. He has spent two decades in transportation and logistics with the US Department of Transportation, the US Department of Energy, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Clark University.About TelegraphTelegraph is a leader in delivering digital solutions to railroads, shippers, logistics service providers, terminals, + railcar leasing companies. With an integrated platform that prov...
Transcribe →Freight Cycles Explained: Why Markets Turn + What Shippers Should Do
4w ago00:26:05Tap to summarizeFreight markets always turn. The question, then, is what shippers + carriers should do before that happens. In this episode of “Talk Track”, David is joined by Dr. Angi Acocella, research scientist at the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics, for a deep dive into how freight cycles actually work.Angi shares her “Elephants or Goldfish?” research, which is a data-driven look at how shippers + carriers truly behave as markets shift. It's a rare empirically researched answer to a long-standing debate: do relationships in freight actually matter?The pair also dig into what drives freight cycles, which indicators have proven most reliable, + the question every railroader should be asking: with trucking tightening + rail acting as the relief valve, what does that mean for rail volumes through the rest of 2026? Spoiler: even the brightest minds in freight say predicting the turn is hard.Talk Track, hosted by Harris Ligon + David Correll of Telegraph™, is a spin-off series dedicated to timely rail industry news. From service shakeups to technology breakthroughs, each episode delivers a behind-the-scenes perspective on all the happenings shaping the future of freight rail. Harris + David will bring their decades of rail experience to help them parse through the latest industry headlines, evolving regulations, + the long-term forecasts for how railroads move freight across North America. Find us at telegraph.io/insights, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. About Our HostsHarris Ligon is the co-founder + CEO of Telegraph. Prior to launching Telegraph, he spent nearly 15 years in surface transportation at Uber Freight, Norfolk Southern, + BNSF Railway. During this time, he led teams in operations, strategy, business development, + product development. David Correll is the Director of Freight Market Intelligence at Telegraph. He has spent two decades in transportation and logistics with the US Department of Transportation, the US Department of Energy, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Clark University.About TelegraphTelegraph is a leader in delivering digital solutions to railroads, shippers, logistics service providers, terminals, + railcar leasing companies. With an integrated platform that prov...
Transcribe →STB Greenlights UPNS Merger Application…With Conditions
Jun 200:33:06Tap to summarizeThe Surface Transportation Board hit the industry with a surprise May 28th when it suddenly came in with a ruling on the UPNS merger application. In our latest Talk Track episode, Harris + David start unpacking what the filing actually says + how the STB is currently looking like the winner in all this.They cover the Board’s pretty pointed request for more competitive data, what the further hearings might mean, + how the industry as a whole is starting to position itself - from capital being closely held to contingency plans being made. Alongside all of this, they also turn the conversation towards the Build America 250 surface transportation bill - CRISI grants, telematics investment, + the two-person crew mandate, in particular. Freight railroads are truly a hot topic right now + we expect more headlines to come!Talk Track, hosted by Harris Ligon + David Correll of Telegraph™, is a spin-off series dedicated to timely rail industry news. From service shakeups to technology breakthroughs, each episode delivers a behind-the-scenes perspective on all the happenings shaping the future of freight rail. Harris + David will bring their decades of rail experience to help them parse through the latest industry headlines, evolving regulations, + the long-term forecasts for how railroads move freight across North America. Find us at telegraph.io/insights, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. About Our HostsHarris Ligon is the co-founder + CEO of Telegraph. Prior to launching Telegraph, he spent nearly 15 years in surface transportation at Uber Freight, Norfolk Southern, + BNSF Railway. During this time, he led teams in operations, strategy, business development, + product development. David Correll is the Director of Freight Market Intelligence at Telegraph. He has spent two decades in transportation and logistics with the US Department of Transportation, the US Department of Energy, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Clark University.About TelegraphTelegraph is a leader in delivering digital solutions to railroads, shippers, logistics service providers, terminals, + railcar leasing companies. With an integrated platform that prov...
Transcribe →Union Pacific + Norfolk Southern Merger Filing: What the Revised Submission Really Means for Rail
May 1300:30:34Tap to summarizeThe revised merger filing between Union Pacific + Norfolk Southern has landed on + it grew from roughly 6,800 pages to over 7,000. But do more words on paper actually mean more clarity? On this episode of Talk Track, Harris + David dig into what's really in the updated submission, what's noticeably absent, + whether any of it changes the fundamental calculus around approval.From regulatory history that shaped today’s STB standards to whether or not this merger is enhancing competition or merely consolidating power, the duo breaks down every angle. The operational logic is sound. End-to-end service, fewer handoffs, better value for shippers - on paper, it all makes sense. But whether those efficiency gains flow to shippers or straight to shareholders is a very different conversation. The politics of this particular moment matter too. This is a deeply political merger in a deeply political environment. Watch closely for the STB’s response in the coming weeks - this merger for the ages story is far from over!Talk Track, hosted by Harris Ligon + David Correll of Telegraph™, is a spin-off series dedicated to timely rail industry news. From service shakeups to technology breakthroughs, each episode delivers a behind-the-scenes perspective on all the happenings shaping the future of freight rail. Harris + David will bring their decades of rail experience to help them parse through the latest industry headlines, evolving regulations, + the long-term forecasts for how railroads move freight across North America. Find us at telegraph.io/insights, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. About Our HostsHarris Ligon is the co-founder + CEO of Telegraph. Prior to launching Telegraph, he spent nearly 15 years in surface transportation at Uber Freight, Norfolk Southern, + BNSF Railway. During this time, he led teams in operations, strategy, business development, + product development. David Correll is the Director of Freight Market Intelligence at Telegraph. He has spent two decades in transportation and logistics with the US Department of Transportation, the US Department of Energy, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Clark University.About TelegraphTelegraph is a leader in delivering digital solutions to railroads, shippers, logistics service providers, terminals, + railcar leasing companies. With an integrated platform that prov...
Transcribe →Cloudy with a Chance of Carloads
Apr 600:24:24Tap to summarizeThe forecast is calling for grain, grain, grain…with a slight chance of geopolitical disruption + a 40% probability that everything changes again before next week.In Cloudy with a Chance of Carloads, Harris + David return with Telegraph’s Q2 2026 Market Consist. As we head into summer, they break down what they are seeing in data - mostly that grain carloads are looking really strong, chemical moves are definitely facing headwinds, + that shipper-friendly market we’ve all enjoyed this last year? It might just be closing up shop.With the USMA renegotiation up in the air - which could easily impact cross-border freight volumes - the fact that 2026 is basically tracking on par with 2025 is actually something close to good news. Talk Track, hosted by Harris Ligon + David Correll of Telegraph™, is a spin-off series dedicated to timely rail industry news. From service shakeups to technology breakthroughs, each episode delivers a behind-the-scenes perspective on all the happenings shaping the future of freight rail. Harris + David will bring their decades of rail experience to help them parse through the latest industry headlines, evolving regulations, + the long-term forecasts for how railroads move freight across North America. Find us at telegraph.io/insights, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. About Our HostsHarris Ligon is the co-founder + CEO of Telegraph. Prior to launching Telegraph, he spent nearly 15 years in surface transportation at Uber Freight, Norfolk Southern, + BNSF Railway. During this time, he led teams in operations, strategy, business development, + product development. David Correll is the Director of Freight Market Intelligence at Telegraph. He has spent two decades in transportation and logistics with the US Department of Transportation, the US Department of Energy, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Clark University.About TelegraphTelegraph is a leader in delivering digital solutions to railroads, shippers, logistics service providers, terminals, + railcar leasing companies. With an integrated platform that prov...
Transcribe →Crude Intentions
Mar 2400:20:44Tap to summarizeWhen conflict half a world away closes the Strait of Hormuz + sends West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude past $100 a barrel, the ripple effects don't just stay in the Middle East, they also show up on American railroads. In "Crude Intentions," Harris + David connect the dots between the escalating energy crisis + what it actually means for shippers, equipment owners, + Class I operating expenses.David, a former US Department of Energy economist who once had to explain anything above $28 per barrel crude to the Secretary's office, puts the current numbers in sharp relief. The pair then digs into the mechanics of fuel surcharges, as well as railroad earning call expectations.The episode spans everything from tanker cars to corn + soybeans. They also pull back the curtain to examine the US-China trade relationship + what a newly complicated energy dynamic could mean for intermodal volumes. The bottom line? When energy markets get this volatile, nothing on the freight rail network is insulated.Talk Track, hosted by Harris Ligon + David Correll of Telegraph™, is a spin-off series dedicated to timely rail industry news. From service shakeups to technology breakthroughs, each episode delivers a behind-the-scenes perspective on all the happenings shaping the future of freight rail. Harris + David will bring their decades of rail experience to help them parse through the latest industry headlines, evolving regulations, + the long-term forecasts for how railroads move freight across North America. Find us at telegraph.io/insights, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. About Our HostsHarris Ligon is the co-founder + CEO of Telegraph. Prior to launching Telegraph, he spent nearly 15 years in surface transportation at Uber Freight, Norfolk Southern, + BNSF Railway. During this time, he led teams in operations, strategy, business development, + product development. David Correll is the Director of Freight Market Intelligence at Telegraph. He has spent two decades in transportation and logistics with the US Department of Transportation, the US Department of Energy, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Clark University.About TelegraphTelegraph is a leader in delivering digital solutions to railroads, shippers, logistics service providers, terminals, + railcar leasing companies. With an integrated platform that prov...
Transcribe →The Intermodal Ultimatum
Mar 200:34:38Tap to summarizeIn this episode of “Talk Track”, David sits down with Larry Gross - a 46-year rail industry veteran, award-winning “intermodalist,” + long-time market analyst - to tackle the tough question: does US intermodal have a long-term growth problem? Larry breaks down the data behind his viewpoint - comparing intermodal’s 10-year performance to GDP, import TEUs, + long-haul truckload. He also explains why intermodal share has stagnated despite nearly constant claims that it is actually the industry’s growth engine.David + Larry break down the intermodal math that really matters to shippers: rail doesn’t have to beat truck on speed, but it does have to beat it on cost. Larry argues that years of simplification + interline avoidance may have optimized the railroads…perhaps at the expense of leaving growth on the table. Talk Track, hosted by Harris Ligon + David Correll of Telegraph™, is a spin-off series dedicated to timely rail industry news. From service shakeups to technology breakthroughs, each episode delivers a behind-the-scenes perspective on all the happenings shaping the future of freight rail. Harris + David will bring their decades of rail experience to help them parse through the latest industry headlines, evolving regulations, + the long-term forecasts for how railroads move freight across North America. Find us at telegraph.io/insights, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. About Our HostsHarris Ligon is the co-founder + CEO of Telegraph. Prior to launching Telegraph, he spent nearly 15 years in surface transportation at Uber Freight, Norfolk Southern, + BNSF Railway. During this time, he led teams in operations, strategy, business development, + product development. David Correll is the Director of Freight Market Intelligence at Telegraph. He has spent two decades in transportation and logistics with the US Department of Transportation, the US Department of Energy, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Clark University.About TelegraphTelegraph is a leader in delivering digital solutions to railroads, shippers, logistics service providers, terminals, + railcar leasing companies. With an integrated platform that prov...
Transcribe →A Series of Uncertain Events
Feb 200:22:16Tap to summarizeIn “A Series of Uncertain Events”, Harris + David break down the “Telegraph Market Consist” for 1H 2026 + what the next three to six months may hold for freight rail. The outlook is…murky, with carload volumes projected to dip 3–5% + intermodal 5–6%. The bright side? This all potentially ripens the conditions for what looks like a shipper’s market.They unpack the forces behind those lower volumes - from international trade headwinds + tariff turbulence to weaker domestic indicators. They also dive into lanes where intermodal is gaining ground versus truckload. For rail shippers the message is pretty simple: in a cycle like this, leverage matters + this may be just the moment to use it.Talk Track, hosted by Harris Ligon + David Correll of Telegraph™, is a spin-off series dedicated to timely rail industry news. From service shakeups to technology breakthroughs, each episode delivers a behind-the-scenes perspective on all the happenings shaping the future of freight rail. Harris + David will bring their decades of rail experience to help them parse through the latest industry headlines, evolving regulations, + the long-term forecasts for how railroads move freight across North America. Find us at telegraph.io/insights, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. About Our HostsHarris Ligon is the co-founder + CEO of Telegraph. Prior to launching Telegraph, he spent nearly 15 years in surface transportation at Uber Freight, Norfolk Southern, + BNSF Railway. During this time, he led teams in operations, strategy, business development, + product development. David Correll is the Director of Freight Market Intelligence at Telegraph. He has spent two decades in transportation and logistics with the US Department of Transportation, the US Department of Energy, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Clark University.About TelegraphTelegraph is a leader in delivering digital solutions to railroads, shippers, logistics service providers, terminals, + railcar leasing companies. With an integrated platform that prov...
Transcribe →The STB Strikes Back
Jan 2700:19:41Tap to summarizeThe merger saga just took a dramatic turn. In “The STB Strikes Back”, Harris + David are breaking down the STB’s decision to reject the UP-NS application, as well as what that could signal for the future of the potential transcontinental railroad. After months of speculation by everyone from competitors to customers, we have finally seen some actual regulator input + that alone has brought a bit of surprise +, quite possibly, even more questions. Stay tuned - this epic is just getting underway + there is plenty more drama to come!Talk Track, hosted by Harris Ligon + David Correll of Telegraph™, is a spin-off series dedicated to timely rail industry news. From service shakeups to technology breakthroughs, each episode delivers a behind-the-scenes perspective on all the happenings shaping the future of freight rail. Harris + David will bring their decades of rail experience to help them parse through the latest industry headlines, evolving regulations, + the long-term forecasts for how railroads move freight across North America. Find us at telegraph.io/insights, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. About Our HostsHarris Ligon is the co-founder + CEO of Telegraph. Prior to launching Telegraph, he spent nearly 15 years in surface transportation at Uber Freight, Norfolk Southern, + BNSF Railway. During this time, he led teams in operations, strategy, business development, + product development. David Correll is the Director of Freight Market Intelligence at Telegraph. He has spent two decades in transportation and logistics with the US Department of Transportation, the US Department of Energy, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Clark University.About TelegraphTelegraph is a leader in delivering digital solutions to railroads, shippers, logistics service providers, terminals, + railcar leasing companies. With an integrated platform that prov...
Transcribe →