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As 2012 neared its close, U.S. Class Is employed slightly fewer people than in November, but a bit more people than at the same point in 2011. As of mid-December, the large roads employed 162,652, down about 0.1 percent from November's level and up about 1.1 percent from December 2011's mark, according to Surface Transportation Board data.

On a month-over-month basis, only the maintenance of way and structures and professional administrative categories posted declines, falling 2.5 percent to 36,259 and 0.8 percent to 14,087, respectively. The gainers were transportation (other than train and engine) workers, 2.2 percent to 6,766; transportation (train and engine) employees, 1 percent to 65,493; executives, officials and staff assistants, 0.4 percent to 9,875; and maintenance of equipment and stores workers, 0.4 percent to 30,172.

On a year-over-year basis, all six categories registered growth: executives, officials and staff assistants, 4.2 percent; professional administrative, 1.7 percent; maintenance of equipment and stores, 1.2 percent; maintenance of way and structures, 0.8 percent; transportation (T&E), 0.6 percent; and transportation (other than T&E), less than 0.1 percent.