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After shrinking slightly for two straight months, the U.S. Class I workforce got a touch larger in November.

As of mid-November, the large roads employed a total of 165,803 people, a 0.3 percent increase compared with mid-October's level, according to Surface Transportation Board data. However, the workforce shrunk 1.7 percent on a year-over-year basis.

Three employment groups posted month-over-month gains in November. Transportation (train and engine) ranks rose 0.8 percent to 69,147, maintenance of equipment and stores ranks increased 0.3 percent to 30,441, and the number of executives, officials and staff assistants inched up 0.1 percent to 10,126. On a year-over-year basis, the three groups registered a 3.9 percent decrease, 0.4 percent increase and 1 percent increase, respectively.

The other three employment groups posted month-over-month declines in November. Transportation (other than T&E) ranks decreased 0.9 percent to 6,871, professional and administrative staff shrunk 0.4 percent to 13,760, and maintenance-of-way and structures ranks declined 0.2 percent to 35,458. On a year-over-year basis, the three groups registered a 5.4 percent decrease, 0.6 percent increase and 0.3 percent increase, respectively.