(The Association of American Railroads issued the following news release on January 12.)
WASHINGTON — Freight traffic on U.S. railroads was down from the first week of last year during the initial week of 2006, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported today.
However, the AAR noted, the comparison is distorted because the New Year’s Day holiday was included in this year’s report but was not included in the 2005 comparison week.
Carload freight during the week ended January 7 totaled 311,562 cars, down 1.5 percent from last year, with loadings up 3.4 percent in the West but down 7.3 percent in the East. Intermodal traffic, which isn’t included in the carload data, totaled 192,851 trailers or containers, down 6.6 percent from the comparable week last year.
Total volume was estimated at 30.2 billion ton-miles, down 0.3 percent from last year.
Both carload freight and intermodal volume were down on Canada’s railroads during the week ended January 7. Carload volume totaled 65,557 cars, down 6.9 percent from last year. Intermodal traffic totaled 35,055 trailers or containers, down 4.5 percent from last year.
Combined volume for the first week of 2006 on 13 reporting U.S. and Canadian railroads totaled 377,119 carloads, down 2.5 percent from last year and 227,906 trailers and containers, down 6.3 percent from last year.
The AAR also reported that originated carload freight on the Mexican railroad Kansas City Southern de Mexico (KCSM) during the week ended January 7 totaled 7,182 cars, down 11.9 percent from last year. TFM reported intermodal volume of 2,149 originated trailers or containers, down 14.0 percent from the first week of 2005.
Railroads reporting to AAR account for 87 percent of U.S. carload freight and 96 percent of rail intermodal volume. When the U.S. operations of Canadian railroads are included, the figures increase to 96 percent and 100 percent. Railroads provide more than 40 percent of the nation’s intercity freight transportation, more than any other mode, and rail traffic figures are regarded as an important economic indicator.
AAR is the world’s leading railroad policy, research and technology organization focusing on the safety and productivity of rail carriers.