U.S. freight-rail traffic climbs 2.6% in Week 28

U.S. freight-rail traffic rose 2.6% to 496,188 carloads and intermodal units in the week ending July 12 compared with the traffic in the same week in 2024, according to Association of American Railroads data.

The railroads hauled 223,968 carloads during the week, a 4.1% increase, and 272,220 containers and trailers, a 1.4% increase.

Eight of the 10 carload commodities that AAR tracks every week logged an increase. The gainers included coal, up 4.8% to 58,370 carloads; chemicals, up 6.3% to 32,599; and motor vehicles and parts, up 10.4% to 12,992. The two commodity groups that posted decreases were forest products, down 1.8% to 8,253 carloads; and metallic ores and metals, down 0.7% to 20,229.

Meanwhile, Canadian railroads reported 88,255 carloads for the week, up 1.6%, and 74,638 intermodal units, up 9.3%. Mexican railroads reported 15,875 carloads, a 40.4% increase; and 10,661 intermodal units, a 12.6% increase.

For the first 28 weeks of 2025 compared to 2024:
• U.S. railroads reported 13,627,921 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.9%;
• Canadian railroads posted 4,556,986 carloads, containers and trailers, up 1.3%; and
• Mexican railroads logged 671,292 carloads and intermodal units, down 6.5%.