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The U.S. Class I workforce grew a tad larger last month. As of mid-November, the large roads employed 162,766 people, a 0.2 percent increase compared with October's count and 1.7 percent gain versus the year-ago level, according to Surface Transportation Board data.

On a month-over-month basis, three workforce segments registered small declines: transportation (other than train and engine), down 0.6 percent to 6,622; transportation (train and engine), down 0.4 percent to 64,881; and maintenance of way and structures, down 0.1 percent to 37,174. But professional and administrative staff grew 1.9 percent to 14,195, the maintenance of equipment and stores workforce increased 1.2 percent to 30,057, and the number of executives, officials and staff assistants inched up 0.2 percent to 9,837.

On a year-over-year basis, only the transportation (other than T&E) workforce declined, falling 1.7 percent. The number of executives, officials and staff assistants swelled by 4.7 percent; professional and administrative staff members climbed by 2.7 percent; maintenance of way and structures workers increased by 2.2 percent; maintenance of equipment and stores employees grew by 1.5 percent; and transportation (T&E) ranks rose by 1.1 percent.