U.S. Class I workforce shrinks in mid-July

As of mid-July, the largest U.S. railroads employed 171,043 people, down 0.75 percent from June's level, but up 2.34 percent compared with July 2014's count, according to data from the Surface Transportation Board.

On a month-over-month basis, the size of the workforce decreased in all six reported categories: executives, officials and staff assistants, down 0.13 percent to 9,910; professional and administrative, down 0.51 percent to 14,578; maintenance of way and structures, down 0.42 percent to 38,455; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 0.46 percent to 31,164; transportation (other than train and engine), down 0.18 percent to 6,717; and transportation (train and engine), down 1.24 percent to 70,219.

Year over year, the size of the workforce in four of the six categories increased: professional and administrative, up 1.48 percent; MOW and structures, up 2.95 percent; maintenance of equipment and stores, up 3.97 percent; and transportation (train and engine), up 2.17 percent.

Workforce numbers in two categories fell year over year. They were: executives, officials and staff assistance, down 0.63 percent; and transportation (other than train and engine), down 0.39 percent.