(The following appeared on the Progressive Railroading website on August 11, 2010.)
In July, RailAmerica Inc.-owned railroads handled 73,071 carloads, up 4.7 percent compared with July 2009 traffic.
The short-line holding company reported gains in nine of 12 commodity groups. The traffic increase primarily was driven by stronger shipments of metallic ores and metals, chemicals and agricultural products.
RailAmerica owns and operates 40 regionals and short lines in the United States and Canada.