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As of mid-October, the U.S. Class Is employed 149,020 workers, a 0.3 percent decrease compared with September’s level and 9.2 percent drop vs. October 2008’s count, according to the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) latest rail employment report. The workforce remained under 150,000 for the second-straight month.

The number of transportation (train and engine service) workers increased 1.1 percent vs. September’s ranks to 57,198, but plummeted 15.3 percent from October 2008’s level. The transportation (other than T&E) workforce totaled 6,364, down 2.3 percent month over month and 4.1 percent year over year.

Maintenance-of-way and structures employees numbered 34,622, falling 1.4 percent from September’s count and 4 percent from the year-ago level. The number of maintenance of equipment and store workers declined 0.7 percent month over month and 7.2 percent year over year to 28,121.

The U.S. Class Is also employed fewer executives, officials and staff assistants, which numbered 9,101. The workforce segment dropped 1 percent from September’s level and 9.8 percent from October 2008’s count.

For more STB workforce data as of mid-October, follow this link to download a pdf file.