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The U.S. Class I workforce grew a tad in April — the third-straight month the large roads employed more people vs. the previous month.

As of mid-April, the Class Is employed 164,577, up 0.7 percent compared with mid-March's total, according to Surface Transportation Board data. However, the workforce represented a 1.6 percent decline on a year-over-year basis.

The maintenance-of-way and structures workforce totaling 35,296 rose 2 percent compared with mid-March's count, posting the largest month-over-month gain. The workforce also increased 0.6 percent on a year-over-year basis.

Transportation (train and engine) ranks also swelled slightly in April, increasing 0.7 percent to 68,554 compared with mid-March's total. But the workforce segment decreased 2.8 percent vs. March 2007's count.

The only other workforce segment that posted a gain last month — maintenance of equipment and stores — inched up 0.06 percent to 30,354. On a year-over-year basis, the segment declined 0.4 percent.

Meanwhile, transportation (other than T&E) ranks totaling 6,623 in mid-April decreased 0.2 percent compared with mid-March's total and 7.9 percent vs. March 2007's count; executives, officials and staff assistants totaling 10,073 declined 0.2 percent on a month-over month and 1.4 percent on a year-over-year basis; and professional and administrative staff totaling 13,677 fell 0.2 percent vs. mid-March's and 1 percent vs. March 2007's level.