(Source: RailAmerica press release, May 10, 2012)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — RailAmerica, Inc. today reported that its total freight carloads in April 2012 were 71,936 compared with 72,081 in April 2011.
The Company increased shipments in April 2012 in eight out of twelve commodity groups compared to April 2011. The largest increases were in Motor Vehicles, Petroleum and Other. Motor Vehicles were up primarily due to increased carloads in the Midwest region. Petroleum was higher primarily due to increased shipments in the Midwest and West regions. Other increased primarily due to higher shipments in the Northeast and Central regions.
The largest declines were in Coal and Metallic Ores and Metals. Coal decreased primarily due to lower shipments in the Central region. Metallic Ores and Metals were lower primarily due to fewer shipments in the Northeast region.
April 2012 carloads include 1,414 carloads from the acquisition of three railroads in Alabama and the Wellsboro and Corning Railroad (WCOR). RailAmerica completed its acquisition of a 70% interest in the WCOR on April 9, 2012. All of the carloads moved by the WCOR from April 9th are included in RailAmerica’s consolidated carload numbers. On a “same railroad” basis, carloads decreased 2.2%.
RailAmerica, Inc. owns and operates short-line and regional freight railroads in North America, operating a portfolio of 45 individual railroads with approximately 7,500 miles of track in 28 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces.