FW Desk News
FreightWatch.News
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
North American railroads posted strong freight demand during early September 2026. Combined weekly traffic reached 727,511 carloads and intermodal units, up 12.4% year-over-year. The Association of American Railroads reported 533,545 carloads and intermodal units for the week ending Sept. 5. Carloads rose 13.9% to 234,397 units, while intermodal volume surged 18% to 299,148 containers and trailers. Nine of 10 carload categories improved compared to the prior year. Metallic ores and metals led commodity gains at 26.1%, followed by farm products excluding grain at 15%. Year-to-date cumulative volume reached 24,540,451 carloads and intermodal units, up 3% from the prior year. North American volume across U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads totaled 341,432 carloads, up 8.7%, with intermodal units ahead 15%.
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