(RailAmerica issued the following news release on February 9.)
BOCA RATON, Fla. — RailAmerica, Inc. reported its freight carloads (including intermodal units) for the month ended January 31, 2004. Due to the sale of its Chilean railroad interest, results from that operation have been eliminated for both periods.
Consolidated Carloads
Consolidated carloads for January 2004 increased 10% to 115,414, from 105,220 in January 2003. On a “same railroad” basis, January 2004 carloads increased 7% to 112,021, from 105,159 in 2003.
North American Carloads
Total North American carloads for January 2004 were 97,821, up 6% from 92,050 in January 2003. On a “same railroad” basis, January 2004 carloads increased 3% to 94,428, from 91,989 in 2003. For the month of January, strong bridge traffic, agricultural & farm products, and metallic/non-metallic ore shipments were partially offset by lower auto and intermodal carloads.
Australian Carloads
For January 2004, Australian carloads were 17,593, up 34% from 13,170 in January 2003. Australian grain shipments more than doubled to 8,370 in January 2004 from 4,103 carloads in January 2003.
Historically, the Company has found that carload information may be indicative of freight revenues on its railroads, but may not be indicative of total revenues, operating expenses, operating income or net income. Attached is a comparison of consolidated and segment carloads by commodity group for the month ended January 31, 2004 and 2003.
RailAmerica, Inc. (NYSE:RRA) is the world’s largest short line and regional railroad operator with 47 railroads operating approximately 15,000 miles in the United States, Canada, and Australia, including track access arrangements. The Company is a member of the Russell 2000(R) Index. Its website may be found at http://www.railamerica.com.