Rail

Intermodal Surge Outpaces Carload Growth as U.S. Rail Traffic Climbs 5%

U.S. rail traffic reached 529,712 carloads and intermodal units last week, marking a 5% gain from the same period last year, according to the Association of American Railroads. Intermodal containers and trailers demonstrated stronger momentum, climbing 7% to 299,001 units compared to carload volume's 2.4% increase to 230,711. Seven of ten tracked commodity groups posted gains. Metallic ores and metals led at 12.8%, followed by petroleum and related products at 12%, while forest products rose 7.2% despite struggling in the stagnant housing market. Year-to-date through 39 weeks, U.S. railroads handled 19,988,290 combined units, up 3%. North American rail traffic expanded more modestly at 1.6% for carloads and 6% for intermodal units.