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A steady contraction of the U.S. Class I workforce continued in March. As of March 15, the workforce stood at 154,960, representing a 1.3 percent decrease from mid-February’s level and 5.2 percent drop from March 2008’s count, according to the Surface Transportation Board’s most recent employment data.

Transportation (train and engine) ranks shrank 2.3 percent from mid-February’s level to 59,901, falling below 60,000 for the first time in years. The workforce segment also decreased a whopping 12 percent from March 2008’s count.

The transportation (other than T&E) workforce as of mid-March totaled 7,106, down 1 percent compared with mid-February’s level, but up 7.1 percent year over year. Maintenance of way and structures ranks totaling 34,675 posted the only month-over-month and year-over-year gains at 0.8 percent and 0.25 percent, respectively.

For more breakdowns of the STB’s employment data, follow this link to download a pdf file of March figures.