(The Association of American Railroads posted the following news release on its website on January 13.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Freight traffic on U.S. railroads started 2005 on a positive note with gains in both carload freight and intermodal volume compared to the first week of last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported today.
Carload freight during the week ended January 8 totaled 320,541 cars, up 1.2 percent from last year, with loadings up 4.8 percent in the East but down 1.4 percent in the West. Intermodal traffic, which isn’t included in the carload data, totaled 206,544 trailers or containers, up 9.4 percent from the comparable week last year. Total volume was estimated at 29.5 billion ton-miles, up 2.1 percent from last year.
Eight of 19 carload commodity groups registered gains in comparison with last year, with lumber and wood products up 19.3 percent; metallic ores up 7.0 percent and coal up 4.7 percent. Among 11 commodities showing declines from last year were waste and scrap materials down 16.1 percent; grain mill products off 13.6 percent; and grain down 7.7 percent.
Railroads reporting to AAR account for 88 percent of U.S. carload freight and 95 percent of rail intermodal volume. When the U.S. operations of Canadian railroads are included, the figures increase to 95 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.
Both carload freight and intermodal volume were down on Canada’s railroads during the week ended January 8. Carload volume totaled 61,454 cars. Intermodal traffic totaled 36,767 trailers or containers, down 7.7 percent from last year.
Combined volume for the first week of 2005 on 15 reporting U.S. and Canadian railroads totaled 381,995 carloads, up 0.7 percent from last year and 243,311 trailers and containers, up 6.5 percent from last year.
The AAR also reported that originated carload freight on the Mexican railroad Transportacion Ferroviaria Mexicana (TFM) during the week ended January 8 totaled 8,152 cars, up 4.3 percent from last year. TFM reported intermodal volume of 2,500 originated trailers or containers, up 9.7 percent from the first week of 2004.
AAR is the world’s leading railroad policy, research and technology organization focusing on the safety and productivity of rail carriers.