(Source: RailAmerica press release, January 11, 2012)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — RailAmerica, Inc. today reported that its total freight carloads for the month ended December 31, 2011 were 70,889 down 0.4% from 71,209 in December 2010.
The Company increased shipments in December 2011 in eight out of twelve commodity groups compared to December 2010. The largest increases were in Motor Vehicles, Agricultural Products, and Metallic Ores and Metals. Motor Vehicles were up primarily due to more shipments in the West and Midwest regions. Agricultural Products increased due to higher shipments in the Southeast, Midwest and West regions. Metallic Ores and Metals were higher primarily due to increased shipments in the Southeast.
The largest declines were in Coal, Chemicals and Pulp, Paper & Allied Products. Coal carloads reflect decreased shipments due to source shifts affecting the Indiana Southern Railroad and fewer shipments in the Central region. Chemical carloads decreased primarily due to lower shipments in the Northeast and Midwest regions. Pulp, Paper & Allied Products were down primarily due to reduced shipments in the Northeast region.
December 2011 carloads include 428 carloads from the acquisition of three railroads in Alabama. On a “same railroad” basis, carloads declined 1.1%.
RailAmerica, Inc. owns and operates short-line and regional freight railroads in North America, operating a portfolio of 43 individual railroads with approximately 7,400 miles of track in 27 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces.