U.S. railroads posted carload, intermodal gains in September

U.S. freight-rail traffic in September climbed 1.5% to 1,930,612 carloads, containers and trailers compared with traffic in the same month a year ago, according to Association of American Railroads data.

U.S. carloads rose 2.3% to 921,716 in September, while intermodal units inched up 0.7% to 1,008,896.

Although improving, rail traffic — like the economy — remains uncertain, said AAR Vice President John Gray in a press release.

"Intermodal had the best volume month of the year in September, showing after three years that 'peak season' still exists although much more reserved and occurring somewhat later than past peaks," Gray said. "Grain shipments improved slightly from extremely low summer levels, while chemicals and petroleum products had reasonably solid months."

However, a more sustained traffic increase will require stronger growth in industrial sectors, he added.

Thirteen of the 20 carload commodity categories that AAR tracks each month logged gains in September. They included motor vehicles and parts, up 15.2%; petroleum and petroleum products, up 16%; and chemicals, up 4.6%.

The commodities that posted decreases included grain, down 9%; coal, down 1.4%; and coke, down 9.1%.

Total U.S. carload traffic for the first nine months of the year was 8,774,830 carloads, up 0.3%,and 9,329,334 intermodal units, down 8.2% year over year. Combined traffic for the nine-month period was 18,104,164 carloads and intermodal units, a 4.3% decrease.

For the week ending Sept. 30, U.S. railroads posted 235,988 carloads, up 3.7%, and 264,166 containers and trailers, up 2%; Canadian railroads logged 97,896 carloads, up 2.1, and 70,662 intermodal units, down 13.6%; and Mexican railroads reported 16,599 carloads, up 12.2%; and 11,943 intermodal units, up 7.4%.