(The following appeared on the Progressive Railroading website on March 17, 2011.)
After shrinking slightly in January, the U.S. Class I workforce grew a bit in February. As of mid-February, the workforce stood at 154,502, a 0.8 percent increase from January’s level and 4.7 percent climb from February 2010’s count, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) data.
The transportation (train and engine) workforce of 62,142 grew 1.4 percent from January’s level and ballooned 9.3 percent from February 2010’s mark.
Maintenance-of-way and structures staff, which at 34,299 rose 0.5 percent from January’s level and 3 percent from February 2010’s mark.
The full story is on the Progressive Railroading website.