Intermodal volume drives up U.S. freight-rail traffic in Week 41

U.S. freight-rail traffic rose 2.6% to 505,033 carloads and intermodal units in the week ending Oct. 12 compared with traffic results in the same week in 2023, according to Association of American Railroads data.

In the week, railroads hauled 222,003 carloads, a 1.3% decrease, and 283,030 containers and trailers, a 5.9% increase. Seven of the 10 carload commodities that AAR tracks every week logged an increase.

Gainers included grain, up 6.1% to 23,523 carloads; metallic ores and metals, up 6.4% to 19,277; and farm products other than grain, and food, up 5.2% to 17,894. Commodities that posted decreases included coal, down 5.5% to 58,233 carloads; nonmetallic minerals, down 7.5% to 30,465; and motor vehicles and parts, down 8.3% to 14,412.

Meanwhile, Canadian railroads reported 98,096 carloads for the week, up 3.5%, and 70,155 intermodal units, up 1.6%. Mexican railroads reported 12,101 carloads, a 27.2% decrease, and 11,486 intermodal units, down 9.2%.

For the first 41 weeks of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023:

• U.S. railroads reported 8,919,323 carloads and intermodal units, a 3.2% decrease;

• Canadian railroads posted 6,514,669 carloads, containers and trailers, up 0.1%; and

• Mexican railroads logged 1,186,114 carloads and intermodal units, up 3%.