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Suffice it to say rail traffic hasn’t picked up much of late, at least in comparison to last year. But because U.S. railroads’ traffic began to register notable declines at this time last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) decided to begin reporting weekly carload data in comparison to both 2008 and 2007 data.

During the week ending Oct. 24, U.S railroads originated 276,357 carloads, down 14.8 percent vs. 2008 and 17.3 percent vs. 2007. Intermodal volume totaling 207,401 units declined 10.1 percent from 2008’s level and 14.5 percent from 2007’s count.

Canadian railroads reported 71,097 carloads, down 9.9 percent, and 44,849 intermodal loads, down 13 percent compared with totals from 2008’s 42nd week. Mexican railroads’ weekly carloads totaling 12,447 units fell 2 percent and intermodal volume totaling 7,412 units dropped 6.5 percent.

For more AAR data on North American railroads' traffic for the week ending Oct. 24 and through 2009’s first 42 weeks, follow this link.