(Source: RailAmerica press release, December 13, 2011)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — RailAmerica, Inc. today reported that its total freight carloads for the month ended November 30, 2011 were 69,541, down 2.6% from 71,419 in November 2010.
The Company increased shipments in November 2011 in seven out of twelve commodity groups compared to November 2010. The largest increases were in Metallic Ores and Metals, Motor Vehicles and Forest Products. Metallic Ores and Metals were higher primarily due to increased shipments in the Southeast, Midwest and Central regions. Motor Vehicles were up primarily due to more shipments in the West and Northeast regions. Forest Products increased primarily due to higher shipments in the West, Central and Northeast regions.
The largest declines were in Coal, Agricultural Products and Chemicals. Coal carloads primarily reflect decreased shipments due to source shifts affecting the Indiana Southern Railroad. Agricultural Products carloads were down primarily due to fewer shipments in the Central and Midwest regions. Chemicals carloads decreased primarily due to lower shipments in the Northeast and Midwest regions.
November 2011 carloads include 563 carloads from the acquisition of three railroads in Alabama. On a “same railroad” basis, carloads declined 3.4%.