U.S. Rail Traffic Mixed for Week Ending Dec. 7; Slightly Down for Year
In the latest gauge of the economy, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reported mixed U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Dec. 7, 2013 with 279,213 total U.S. carloads, down 4.4 percent compared with the same week last year. Total traffic for the year is slightly down.
Total U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 262,765 units, up 9.4 percent compared with the same week last year. Total combined U.S. weekly rail traffic was 541,978 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.8 percent compared with the same week last year.
Five of the 10 carload commodity groups posted increases compared with the same week in 2012, including petroleum and petroleum products with 14,831 carloads, up 18.6 percent; and grain with 20,560 carloads, up 10.4 percent. Commodities showing a decrease compared with the same week last year included coal with 104,994 carloads, down 13.3 percent.
For the first 49 weeks of 2013, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 13,808,713 carloads, down 0.6 percent from the same point last year, and 12,135,679 intermodal units, up 4.4 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 49 weeks of 2013 was 25,944,392 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.7 percent from last year.
Canadian railroads reported 76,505 carloads for the week, down 4.0 percent, and 54,485 intermodal units, up 5.0 percent compared with the same week in 2012. For the first 49 weeks of 2013, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 3,876,649 carloads, up 2.2 percent from the same point last year, and 2,648,046 intermodal units, up 4.5 percent from last year.
Mexican railroads reported 15,280 carloads for the week, down 0.2 percent compared with the same week last year, and 10,387 intermodal units, down 7.7 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 49 weeks of 2013 was 746,975 carloads, up 6.3 percent from the same point last year, and 493,504 intermodal units, down 0.6 percent from last year.
Combined North American rail volume for the 49 weeks of 2013 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 18,432,337 carloads, up 0.3 percent compared with the same point last year, and 15,277,229 intermodal trailers and containers, up 4.3 percent compared with last year.
About AAR: The Association of American Railroads (AAR) is the world’s leading railroad policy, research and technology organization focusing on the safety and productivity of rail carriers. AAR members include the major freight railroads of the U.S., Canada and Mexico, as well as Amtrak. More info at: www.aar.org.
Category: Featured, General Update
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