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As of mid-January, the U.S. Class I workforce contracted slightly from December’s level, but remained considerably larger than the employment roster from a year ago. At 159,333 on or about Jan. 15, the workforce dipped 0.2 percent from December’s total and increased 3.9 percent compared with January 2010’s count, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) data.

On a month-over-month basis, four employment categories slipped: maintenance-of-way and structures, down 0.5 percent to 35,328; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 0.4 percent to 29,686; transportation (train and engine), down 0.2 percent to 64,240; and professional and administrative, down 0.2 percent to 13,768. The number of transportation (other than train and engine) workers and executives, officials and staff assistants increased 0.7 percent to 6,798 and 0.4 percent to 9,513, respectively.

On a year-over-year basis, all six categories posted gains: transportation (T&E), 4.8 percent; maintenance of equipment and stores, 3.8 percent; maintenance-of-way and structures, 3.5 percent; executives, officials and staff assistants, 3.5 percent; professional and administrative, 2.4 percent; and transportation (other than T&E), 1.9 percent.

For more STB employment data as of mid-January, follow this link to download a pdf file from the agency’s website.