Breaking

Rail Traffic Surges on Trucking Constraints, Fuel Costs

Rail volumes are accelerating across the United States, with intermodal traffic climbing 4% year-over-year in week 40 while domestic carloads increased 3.2%, according to Association of American Railroads data. North American carload volume also rose 2% during the same period.

The gains reflect broad-based industrial momentum. In September, 17 of 20 carload categories posted year-over-year increases, with chemicals traffic—the sector's second-largest commodity—setting a monthly record and tracking toward an annual high.

Western railroads drove intermodal expansion, with BNSF up 12.4% for the week. This performance was fueled by record container volumes moving through Los Angeles and Long Beach ports. CSX posted solid eastern gains of 8%.

Motor vehicles rebounded sharply with 9% growth after lagging in 2025. Metallic ores and metals continued double-digit expansion amid sustained manufacturing activity. Excluding coal and grain, carload volume rose 5%.