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In July, RailAmerica Inc. increased consolidated carloads 4 percent compared with July 2002, lead by more units of petroleum products (27.9 percent), chemicals (27.4 percent) and metals (15.6 percent).

The short-line holding company's monthly North American and Chilean carloads rose 7 percent and 20 percent, respectively, but Australian carloads dropped 23 percent because of drought-impacted grain shipments, according to a prepared statement.

Between January and July, RailAmerica's consolidated carloads dipped 0.8 percent to 823,160 compared with 829,445 carloads during the same 2002 period. The company moved more shipments of petroleum products (32.6 percent) and coal (10.4 percent), but fewer shipments of agricultural and farm products (32 percent), and autos (20.1 percent).

Year-to-date North American carloads rose 1.9 percent to 649,905 and international carloads dropped 9.6 percent to 173,255 compared with a similar 2002 period.

In North America, RailAmerica moved more shipments of petroleum products (24.2 percent) and coal (10.5 percent), but fewer shipments of intermodal (10.2 percent ), and agricultural and food products (7.6 percent).