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In hiring mode the entire year, U.S. Class Is neared the end of 2006 with a slightly larger workforce than the one in place at 2005’s end. As of mid-December, the large roads employed a total of 167,558 people, a 1.6 percent increase compared with mid-December 2005’s level, according to Surface Transportation Board data.

The executives/officials/staff assistants segment posted the largest year-over-year increase, rising 6.4 percent to 10,148 compared with mid-December 2005’s level. Transportation (train and engine service) ranks increased 3.1 percent to 71,815; professional and administrative staff rose 1.2 percent to 13,845; and the maintenance of equipment and stores workforce inched up 0.7 percent to 30,529.

However, transportation (other than T&E) ranks decreased 1.8 percent to 7,221 and the maintenance-of-way and structures workforce declined 1 percent to 34,000.

On a month-over-month basis, the Class Is’ total workforce dipped 0.6 percent compared with mid-November’s level. Maintenance-of-way and structures ranks decreased 3.8 percent, the transportation (other than T&E) workforce dropped 0.5 percent and transportation (T&E) staff dipped 0.2 percent.