The price of diesel rose 1.5 cents through the week leading up to the Fourth of July holiday, hitting $1.102 a gallon. The national average reported July 5 marked the fourth consecutive week of increases and took fuel to a 17-month high, nearing the $1.109 average posted Jan. 19, 1998.

Trimac Transportation prepared to expand its operations between the United States and Mexico by acquiring an 80% interest in Amer-Liquid Transport of Brownsville, Texas, and signing a deal to do business with the bulk transporter’s former owner.

It is almost Shakespearean: Norfolk Southern and CSX, set to divide Conrail, ignored the warnings of three rattled spirits labeled UP, SP and CNW, and, for their hubris, were brought low. Out. Out. Damned computer glitch!

John P. Kinsella has been named president of Thermo King Corp., succeeding James F. Watson, who retired in May. Kinsella was general manager of Thermo King’s International Division for the past six years.

Norfolk Southern and CSX Corp. continued to be plagued by late trains last week, despite their hopes that the Independence Day holiday would allow them to catch up on deliveries.

The price of diesel rose 1.5 cents through the week leading up to the Fourth of July holiday, hitting $1.102 a gallon. The national average reported July 5 took fuel to a 17-month high. This has prompted some observers to suggest that rate surcharges have become a serious possibility.

The Maintenance Council of American Trucking Associations and the Engine Manufacturers Association have joined to propose a new standard definition for “premium” diesel fuel, which sets forth requirements for minimum lubricity and thermal stability, among other things.

Refrigerated trailers have come a long way since they replaced carted boxes of perishable goods cooled with blocks of ice. Their evolution continues as technology advances and customers make new demands.

The idea of packing food in ice to haul it long distances has been around since the Roman Empire. But it took a truckload of spoiled meat in 1938 and a challenge to a golfing buddy to prompt the invention of today's refrigerated trailer.

The devil is in the details, complained fleet operators who criticized truck manufacturers for poor quality control in shipping new equipment to buyers. Some said the increased production of Class 8 trucks could be partly to blame.