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The traffic gains keep coming for U.S. railroads. During the week ending March 12, they originated 292,164 carloads, up 1.3 percent, and 216,828 containers and trailers, up 6.5 percent compared with volumes from the same week last year, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR).
 
Twelve of the 20 carload commodity groups posted gains. On the intermodal side of the equation, eastern domestic volume remained solid, but West Coast traffic slowed, likely because of the Chinese New Year, according to Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc.’s weekly “Rail Flash” report.

“Recent weeks' volumes were modestly below seasonal compared to fourth-quarter levels, [and] week 10 volumes were up 4 percent year over year against firmer comparisons,” Baird analysts said in the report. “Industry contacts confirm domestic intermodal demand is solid in the first quarter given tightening truck capacity and rising fuel prices.”
 
Meanwhile, Canadian railroads reported weekly carload volume of 71,533 units, down 3.9 percent, and 42,009 containers and trailers, down 2.7 percent compared with traffic from the same 2010 period. For the week ending March 12, Mexican railroads reported 15,545 carloads, up 14.1 percent, and 6,488 intermodal loads, down 15.1 percent.
 
Through 2011’s first 10 weeks, 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads originated 3.7 million carloads, up 4.1 percent, and 2.7 million containers and trailers, up 7 percent year over year.

For more AAR traffic data for the week ending March 12 and through 10 weeks, follow this link.