(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, August 2, 2012)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail carloads originated in July 2012 totaled 1,103,733, down 7,787 carloads or 0.7 percent, compared with July 2011. Intermodal volume in July 2012 was 946,071 trailers and containers, up 50,431 units or up 5.6 percent, compared with July 2011. The July 2012 weekly intermodal average of 236,518 trailers and containers is the highest July average in history. Detailed monthly data charts and tables will be available in the AAR’s Rail Time Indicators report released online tomorrow.
Eight of the 20 commodity categories tracked by the AAR saw carload gains in July 2012 compared with July 2011, including: petroleum and petroleum products, up 13,368 carloads, or 47.2 percent; motor vehicles and parts, up 9,317 carloads or 23.3 percent, and food products, up 2,297 carloads or 9.9 percent.
Monthly carloads excluding coal and grain were up 8,018 carloads or 1.4 percent compared with July of last year. Commodity categories with declines in July 2012 were led by coal, down 7,945 carloads, or 1.7 percent compared with July 2011, grain, down 7,860 carloads, or 10 percent and metallic ores, down 6,182 carloads, or 16.2 percent.
Class I railroad employment in June 2012 was up 611 employees from May and up 3,819 employees compared with June 2011. Total Class I employment was 163,159, its highest level since October 2008.