(Source: RailAmerica press release, August 13, 2012)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — RailAmerica, Inc. today reported that its total freight carloads for the month ended July 31, 2012 were 72,433, up 5.4% from 68,727 in July 2011.
The Company increased shipments in July 2012 in eight out of twelve commodity groups compared to July 2011. The largest increases were in Other, Motor Vehicles and Petroleum. Other volumes were up primarily due to more shipments in the Northeast region. The Other category includes crude oil, which accounted for a large portion of the increase from prior year. Motor Vehicles increased primarily due to higher shipments in the Midwest region. Petroleum carloads increased primarily due to higher volumes in the West and Midwest regions.
The largest declines were in Metallic Ores and Metals and Food or Kindred Products. Metallic Ores and Metals were lower primarily due to reduced shipments in the Northeast and Southeast regions. Food or Kindred Products decreased primarily due to lower shipments in the Midwest region.
July 2012 carloads include 1,598 carloads from acquisitions. On a “same railroad” basis, carloads increased 3.1%.
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.