AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic (CY 2017)

AAR news release:

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending August 19, 2017

 

Washington, D.C. –  August 23, 2017

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending August 19, 2017.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 554,021 carloads and intermodal units, up 4.4 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending August 19 were 271,675 carloads, up 0.8 percent compared with the same week in 2016, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 282,346 containers and trailers, up 8.2 percent compared to 2016.

 

Five of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2016. They included coal, up 8,391 carloads, to 97,873; nonmetallic minerals, up 3,220 carloads, to 40,109; and metallic ores and metals, up 2,173 carloads, to 23,580. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2016 included grain, down 7,031 carloads, to 17,913; motor vehicles and parts, down 2,346 carloads, to 16,626; and petroleum and petroleum products, down 1,575 carloads, to 9,357.

 

For the first 33 weeks of 2017, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 8,531,930 carloads, up 5 percent from the same point last year; and 8,795,422 intermodal units, up 3.4 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 33 weeks of 2017 was 17,327,352 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 4.2 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending August 19, 2017, on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 365,373 carloads, up 2.6 percent compared with the same week last year, and 366,508 intermodal units, up 9.2 percent compared with last year.

 

Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 731,881 carloads and intermodal units, up 5.8 percent.

 

North American rail volume for the first 33 weeks of 2017 was 22,938,512 carloads and intermodal units, up 5.4 percent compared with 2016.

 

Canadian railroads reported 78,029 carloads for the week, up 10.3 percent, and 71,726 intermodal units, up 14.1 percent compared with the same week in 2016. For the first 33 weeks of 2017, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 4,718,534 carloads, containers and trailers, up 11.5 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 15,669 carloads for the week, down 0.8 percent compared with the same week last year, and 12,436 intermodal units, up 6.3 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 33 weeks of 2017 was 892,626 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, remaining essentially flat compared to the same point last year.

 

AAR news release:

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending August 26, 2017

 

 

Washington, D.C. – August 30, 2017

​The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending August 26, 2017.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 551,776 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.3 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending August 26 were 272,153 carloads, up 1 percent compared with the same week in 2016, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 279,623 containers and trailers, up 3.6 percent compared to 2016.

 

Four of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2016. They included coal, up 4,756 carloads, to 96,317; metallic ores and metals, up 2,467 carloads, to 23,941; and nonmetallic minerals, up 2,444 carloads, to 39,999. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2016 included motor vehicles and parts, down 3,237 carloads, to 16,156; grain, down 1,845 carloads, to 19,881; and farm products excl. grain, and food, down 1,532 carloads, to 14,926.

 

For the first 34 weeks of 2017, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 8,805,020 carloads, up 4.9 percent from the same point last year; and 9,075,045 intermodal units, up 3.4 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 34 weeks of 2017 was 17,880,065 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 4.1 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending August 26, 2017, on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 371,895 carloads, up 4.1 percent compared with the same week last year, and 363,257 intermodal units, up 5.1 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 735,152 carloads and intermodal units, up 4.6 percent. North American rail volume for the first 34 weeks of 2017 was 23,674,601 carloads and intermodal units, up 5.4 percent compared with 2016.

 

Canadian railroads reported 82,484 carloads for the week, up 15.2 percent, and 71,079 intermodal units, up 10.6 percent compared with the same week in 2016. For the first 34 weeks of 2017, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 4,872,097 carloads, containers and trailers, up 11.6 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 17,258 carloads for the week, up 7.2 percent compared with the same week last year, and 12,555 intermodal units, up 10.6 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 34 weeks of 2017 was 922,439 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, up 0.3 percent from the same point last year.

 

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AAR news release:

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for August and the Week Ending September 2, 2017

 

Washington, D.C. –  September 6, 2017

 

​The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending September 2, 2017, as well as volumes for August 2017, which was the best month in history for intermodal traffic. 

 

U.S. railroads originated 1,343,405 carloads in August 2017, decreased 0.3 percent, or 4,571 carloads, from August 2016. U.S. railroads also originated 1,401,081 containers and trailers in August 2017, up 5.6 percent, or 73,790 units, from the same month last year. Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in August 2017 were 2,744,486, up 2.6 percent, or 69,219 carloads and intermodal units, from August 2016.

 

In August 2017, seven of the 20 carload commodity categories tracked by the AAR each month saw carload gains compared with August 2016. These included: coal, up 25,926 carloads or 5.8 percent; crushed stone, sand & gravel, up 14,506 carloads or 12.1 percent; and metallic ores, up 4,550 carloads or 16.1 percent. Commodities that saw declines in August 2017 from August 2016 included: grain, down 24,565 carloads or 20.4 percent; motor vehicles & parts, down 10,321 carloads or 11.2 percent; and petroleum & petroleum products, down 8,362 carloads or 15.8 percent.

 

"Rail traffic in August was a mixed bag, with gains in coal and sand, among other commodities, offset by declines in grain, autos, and crude oil," said AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray.  "These results reflect the fact that different rail customer segments are always facing different market dynamics, including, during the last week of August, Hurricane Harvey." 

 

Regarding Hurricane Harvey, Gray said, "Unfortunately, floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes are a fact of life, and railroads have long experience dealing with them and their aftermath.  Railroads know that the quicker they can safely restore service, the quicker affected communities can obtain food, water, and other necessities; that supplies needed for rebuilding can be brought in; that debris can be removed; and that rail customers can return their operations to normal.  In this regard, for railroads there is no alternative to long hours of very hard work in very difficult conditions, and that's what railroads have been putting in." 

 

Excluding coal, carloads were down 30,497 carloads, or 3.4 percent, in August 2017 from August 2016. Excluding coal and grain, carloads were down 5,932 carloads, or 0.8 percent.

 

Total U.S. carload traffic for the first eight months of 2017 was 9,062,097 carloads, up 4.5 percent, or 393,428 carloads, from the same period last year; and 9,352,108 intermodal units, up 3.4 percent, or 309,302 containers and trailers, from last year.

 

Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 35 weeks of 2017 was 18,414,205 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 4 percent compared to last year.

 

Week Ending September 2, 2017

Total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 534,140 carloads and intermodal units, down 0.9 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending September 2 were 257,077 carloads, down 5.9 percent compared with the same week in 2016, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 277,063 containers and trailers, up 4.2 percent compared to 2016.

 

Three of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2016. They were coal, up 4,017 carloads, to 94,510; nonmetallic minerals, up 941 carloads, to 36,696; and metallic ores and metals, up 878 carloads, to 23,028. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2016 included chemicals, down 6,756 carloads, to 24,993; grain, down 6,249 carloads, to 18,206; and petroleum and petroleum products, down 3,146 carloads, to 7,640.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending September 2, 2017, on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 355,608 carloads, down 1.9 percent compared with the same week last year, and 358,874 intermodal units, up 5.2 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 714,482 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.5 percent. North American rail volume for the first 35 weeks of 2017 was 24,389,083 carloads and intermodal units, up 5.3 percent compared with 2016.

 

Canadian railroads reported 82,422 carloads for the week, up 9.5 percent, and 69,939 intermodal units, up 10 percent compared with the same week in 2016. For the first 35 weeks of 2017, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 5,024,458 carloads, containers and trailers, up 11.5 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 16,109 carloads for the week, up 14.6 percent compared with the same week last year, and 11,872 intermodal units, down 0.4 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 35 weeks of 2017 was 950,420 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, up 0.5 percent from the same point last year.

 

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AAR news release:

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending September 9, 2017

 

Washington, D.C. –

September 13, 2017

 

​The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending September 9, 2017.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 486,474 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.8 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending September 9 were 247,930 carloads, down 1.9 percent compared with the same week in 2016, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 238,544 containers and trailers, up 3.6 percent compared to 2016.

 

Three of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2016. They were coal, up 5,322 carloads, to 92,488; metallic ores and metals, up 1,944 carloads, to 21,549; and chemicals, up 952 carloads, to 29,024. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2016 included grain, down 5,146 carloads, to 17,445; petroleum and petroleum products, down 2,518 carloads, to 7,930; and nonmetallic minerals, down 1,894 carloads, to 33,506.

 

For the first 36 weeks of 2017, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 9,310,027 carloads, up 4.4 percent from the same point last year; and 9,590,652 intermodal units, up 3.4 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 36 weeks of 2017 was 18,900,679 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 3.9 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending September 9, 2017, on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 343,559 carloads, up 1.2 percent compared with the same week last year, and 312,397 intermodal units, up 4.7 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 655,956 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.9 percent. North American rail volume for the first 36 weeks of 2017 was 25,045,039 carloads and intermodal units, up 5.2 percent compared with 2016.

 

Canadian railroads reported 79,197 carloads for the week, up 10.2 percent, and 62,938 intermodal units, up 11.7 percent compared with the same week in 2016. For the first 36 weeks of 2017, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 5,166,593 carloads, containers and trailers, up 11.5 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 16,432 carloads for the week, up 10.3 percent compared with the same week last year, and 10,915 intermodal units, down 8.4 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 36 weeks of 2017 was 977,767 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, up 0.5 percent from the same point last year.

 

 

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AAR news release:

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending September 16, 2017

 

Washington, D.C. –  September 20, 2017

 

​The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending September 16, 2017.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 530,774 carloads and intermodal units, down 1.4 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending September 16 were 260,771 carloads, down 3.6 percent compared with the same week in 2016, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 270,003 containers and trailers, up 0.9 percent compared to 2016.

 

One of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2016. It was metallic ores and metals, up 3,292 carloads, to 24,696. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2016 included petroleum and petroleum products, down 2,552 carloads, to 9,083; motor vehicles and parts, down 2,063 carloads, to 16,605; and farm products excl. grain, and food, down 1,943 carloads, to 14,625.

 

For the first 37 weeks of 2017, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 9,570,798 carloads, up 4.1 percent from the same point last year; and 9,860,655 intermodal units, up 3.4 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 37 weeks of 2017 was 19,431,453 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 3.7 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending September 16, 2017, on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 362,507 carloads, up 0.002 percent compared with the same week last year, and 353,452 intermodal units, up 4.1 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 715,959 carloads and intermodal units, up 2 percent. North American rail volume for the first 37 weeks of 2017 was 25,760,998 carloads and intermodal units, up 5.1 percent compared with 2016.

 

Canadian railroads reported 86,678 carloads for the week, up 11.9 percent, and 72,269 intermodal units, up 17.5 percent compared with the same week in 2016 and the most for any week in history for Canadian railroads. For the first 37 weeks of 2017, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 5,325,540 carloads, containers and trailers, up 11.6 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 15,058 carloads for the week, up 2.9 percent compared with the same week last year, and 11,180 intermodal units, up 7.6 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 37 weeks of 2017 was 1,004,005 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, up 0.7 percent from the same point last year.

 

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AAR news release:

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending September 23, 2017

 

Washington, D.C. – September 27, 2017

​

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending September 23, 2017, which set a new record for intermodal traffic in both the U.S. and Canada.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 548,204 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.6 percent compared with the same week last year.

Total carloads for the week ending September 23 were 263,200 carloads, down 2 percent compared with the same week in 2016, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 285,004 containers and trailers, up 5.1 percent compared to 2016.

 

Five of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2016. They included nonmetallic minerals, up 3,166 carloads, to 40,718; metallic ores and metals, up 2,528 carloads, to 25,392; and chemicals, up 487 carloads, to 30,669. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2016 included grain, down 5,517 carloads, to 19,612; coal, down 3,120 carloads, to 84,389; and petroleum and petroleum products, down 1,189 carloads, to 9,188.

 

For the first 38 weeks of 2017, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 9,833,998 carloads, up 4 percent from the same point last year; and 10,145,659 intermodal units, up 3.4 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 38 weeks of 2017 was 19,979,657 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 3.7 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending September 23, 2017, on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 360,341 carloads, down 1.2 percent compared with the same week last year, and 370,902 intermodal units, up 7.2 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 731,243 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.9 percent. North American rail volume for the first 38 weeks of 2017 was 26,492,241 carloads and intermodal units, up 5.1 percent compared with 2016.

 

Canadian railroads reported 81,470 carloads for the week, up 1.2 percent, and 73,056 intermodal units, up 18.2 percent compared with the same week in 2016. For the first 38 weeks of 2017, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 5,480,066 carloads, containers and trailers, up 11.5 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 15,671 carloads for the week, down 0.6 percent compared with the same week last year, and 12,842 intermodal units, down 2.6 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 38 weeks of 2017 was 1,032,518 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, up 0.6 percent from the same point last year.

 

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AAR news release:

AAR Reports Rail Traffic for September and the Week Ending September 30, 2017

 

Washington, D.C. – October 4, 2017

​

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending September 30, 2017, as well as volumes for September 2017.

 

U.S. railroads originated 1,044,563 carloads in September 2017, down 2.3 percent, or -24,106 carloads, from September 2016. U.S. railroads also originated 1,080,444 containers and trailers in September 2017, up 3.8 percent, or 39,482 units, from the same month last year. Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in September 2017 were 2,125,007, up 0.7 percent, or 15,376 carloads and intermodal units from September 2016.

 

In September 2017, eight of the 20 carload commodity categories tracked by the AAR each month saw carload gains compared with September 2016. These included: crushed stone, sand & gravel, up 8,845 carloads or 9.3 percent; primary metal products, up 3,877 carloads or 11.8 percent; and metallic ores, up 3,163 carloads or 13.6 percent. Commodities that saw declines in September 2017 from September 2016 included: grain, down 16,329 carloads or 16.7 percent; petroleum & petroleum products, down 7,267 carloads or 17.0 percent; and motor vehicles & parts, down 7,203 carloads or 9.8 percent.

 

“As our economy and population grow, consumer spending will grow too, and intermodal will continue to be the best way to get many goods to consumers,” said AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray.  “The last two weeks of September were the top two intermodal weeks in history for U.S. and Canadian railroads.  We’re confident that the tremendous efforts railroads have been expending in recent years to improve service and enhance capacity will translate into continued intermodal gains.” 

 

Excluding coal, carloads were down 21,257 carloads, or 3.0 percent, in September 2017 from September 2016.  Excluding coal and grain, carloads were down 4,928 carloads, or 0.8 percent.

 

Total U.S. carload traffic for the first nine months of 2017 was 10,106,660 carloads, up 3.8 percent, or 369,322 carloads, from the same period last year; and 10,432,552 intermodal units, up 3.5 percent, or 348,784 containers and trailers, from last year.

 

Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 39 weeks of 2017 was 20,539,212 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 3.6 percent compared to last year.

 

Week Ending September 30, 2017

For a second straight week, the U.S. set a new weekly record for intermodal rail traffic. Total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 559,555 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.9 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending September 30 were 272,662 carloads, down 1.6 percent compared with the same week in 2016, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 286,893 containers and trailers, up 5.5 percent compared to 2016.

 

Five of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2016. They included nonmetallic minerals, up 4,739 carloads, to 40,970; metallic ores and metals, up 1,387 carloads, to 23,956; and forest products, up 556 carloads, to 11,054. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2016 included grain, down 3,993 carloads, to 23,630; coal, down 3,781 carloads, to 88,150; and motor vehicles and parts, down 2,297 carloads, to 17,461.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending September 30, 2017, on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 375,608 carloads, down 0.6 percent compared with the same week last year, and 373,067 intermodal units, up 7.2 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 748,675 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.1 percent. North American rail volume for the first 39 weeks of 2017 was 27,240,916 carloads and intermodal units, up 5.0 percent compared with 2016.

 

Canadian railroads reported 86,485 carloads for the week, up 2.2 percent, and 73,121 intermodal units, up 16.3 percent compared with the same week in 2016 making this the third consecutive record setting week for intermodal rail traffic in Canada.. For the first 39 weeks of 2017, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 5,639,672 carloads, containers and trailers, up 11.4 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 16,461 carloads for the week, up 2.4 percent compared with the same week last year, and 13,053 intermodal units, down 1.7 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 39 weeks of 2017 was 1,062,032 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, up 0.6 percent from the same point last year.

 

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AAR news release:

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending October 7, 2017

 

Washington, D.C. – October 11, 2017

 

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending October 7, 2017.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 554,826 carloads and intermodal units, up 6.3 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending October 7 were 269,336 carloads, up 2 percent compared with the same week in 2016, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 285,490 containers and trailers, up 10.8 percent compared to 2016.

 

Seven of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2016. They included nonmetallic minerals, up 5,064 carloads, to 40,402; chemicals, up 3,006 carloads, to 31,190; and metallic ores and metals, up 1,680 carloads, to 21,299. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2016 were coal, down 2,681 carloads, to 87,521; grain, down 2,111 carloads, to 24,741; and motor vehicles and parts, down 1,747 carloads, to 17,194.

 

For the first 40 weeks of 2017, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 10,375,996 carloads, up 3.7 percent from the same point last year; and 10,718,042 intermodal units, up 3.6 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 40 weeks of 2017 was 21,094,038 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 3.7 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending October 7, 2017, on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 367,435 carloads, up 2.1 percent compared with the same week last year, and 371,039 intermodal units, up 11.6 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 738,474 carloads and intermodal units, up 6.7 percent. North American rail volume for the first 40 weeks of 2017 was 27,979,390 carloads and intermodal units, up 5.1 percent compared with 2016.

 

Canadian railroads reported 82,819 carloads for the week, up 2.7 percent, and 71,937 intermodal units, up 16.5 percent compared with the same week in 2016. For the first 40 weeks of 2017, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 5,794,428 carloads, containers and trailers, up 11.3 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 15,280 carloads for the week, up 0.9 percent compared with the same week last year, and 13,612 intermodal units, up 3.2 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 40 weeks of 2017 was 1,090,924 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, up 0.6 percent from the same point last year.

 

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AAR news release:

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending October 21, 2017

 

​WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 25, 2017 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending October 21, 2017.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 559,989 carloads and intermodal units, up 3 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending October 21 were 268,943 carloads, up 0.2 percent compared with the same week in 2016, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 291,046 containers and trailers, up 5.6 percent compared to 2016 and the most for any week in history.

 

Five of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2016. They included nonmetallic minerals, up 3,839 carloads, to 41,227; metallic ores and metals, up 2,940 carloads, to 22,059; and chemicals, up 2,097 carloads, to 30,818. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2016 included coal, down 3,814 carloads, to 86,311; grain, down 2,422 carloads, to 24,018; and motor vehicles and parts, down 1,582 carloads, to 16,920.

 

For the first 42 weeks of 2017, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 10,909,100 carloads, up 3.6 percent from the same point last year; and 11,293,191 intermodal units, up 3.7 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 42 weeks of 2017 was 22,202,291 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 3.7 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending October 21, 2017, on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 368,095 carloads, up 1.8 percent compared with the same week last year, and 374,525 intermodal units, up 7.6 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 742,620 carloads and intermodal units, up 4.6 percent. North American rail volume for the first 42 weeks of 2017 was 29,450,729 carloads and intermodal units, up 5 percent compared with 2016.

 

Canadian railroads reported 82,913 carloads for the week, up 5.9 percent, and 70,492 intermodal units, up 15.4 percent compared with the same week in 2016. For the first 42 weeks of 2017, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 6,099,307 carloads, containers and trailers, up 11.2 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 16,239 carloads for the week, up 8.7 percent compared with the same week last year, and 12,987 intermodal units, up 13.6 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 42 weeks of 2017 was 1,149,131 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, up 0.9 percent from the same point last year.

 

AAR news release:

AAR Reports October 2017 as Strongest Month for Intermodal In History

Releases Weekly Rail Traffic for Week Ending October 28, 2017

 

Washington, D.C. –  November 1, 2017

 

​The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending October 28, 2017, as well as volumes for October 2017, which was the best month for intermodal rail traffic in history.

 

U.S. railroads originated 1,065,777 carloads in October 2017, down 0.1 percent, or 1,220 carloads, from October 2016. U.S. railroads also originated 1,144,157 containers and trailers in October 2017, up 6.4 percent, or 68,328 units, from the same month last year. Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in October 2017 were 2,209,934, up 3.1 percent, or 67,108 carloads and intermodal units from October 2016.

 

In October 2017, 12 of the 20 carload commodity categories tracked by the AAR each month saw carload gains compared with October 2016. These included: crushed stone, sand & gravel, up 15,873 carloads or 16.5 percent; chemicals, up 7,390 carloads or 6.4 percent; and metallic ores, up 4,076 carloads or 20.6 percent. Commodities that saw declines in October 2017 from October 2016 included: coal, down 17,764 carloads or 4.9 percent; grain, down 12,528 carloads or 11.8 percent; and motor vehicles & parts, down 5,190 carloads or 7 percent.

 

"Year-over-year U.S. rail carloads in October were held back by declines in carloads of grain and coal," said AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray. "However, carloads of these commodities tend to rise or fall for reasons that have little to do with the state of the economy. Excluding them, carloads were up 4.8% in October, their best monthly gain in almost three years. As such, rail carloads, as well as record intermodal volume in October, support the view that the economy is doing somewhat better now than it has been in the past two years."

 

Excluding coal, carloads were up 16,544 carloads, or 2.3 percent, in October 2017 from October 2016. Excluding coal and grain, carloads were up 29,072 carloads, or 4.8 percent.

 

Total U.S. carload traffic for the first 10 months of 2017 was 11,172,437 carloads, up 3.4 percent, or 368,102 carloads, from the same period last year; and 11,576,709 intermodal units, up 3.7 percent, or 417,112 containers and trailers, from last year.

 

Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 43 weeks of 2017 was 22,749,146 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 3.6 percent compared to last year.

 

Week Ending October 28, 2017

Total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 546,582 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.2 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending October 28 were 263,064 carloads, down 3.2 percent compared with the same week in 2016, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 283,518 containers and trailers, up 3.7 percent compared to 2016.

 

Four of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2016. They included nonmetallic minerals, up 3,661 carloads, to 40,659; metallic ores and metals, up 3,360 carloads, to 23,244; and chemicals, up 482 carloads, to 30,028. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2016 included coal, down 9,850 carloads, to 83,597; grain, down 2,626 carloads, to 22,589; and farm products excl. grain, and food, down 1,362 carloads, to 16,509.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending October 28, 2017, on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 362,922 carloads, down 1.9 percent compared with the same week last year, and 367,703 intermodal units, up 6.2 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 730,625 carloads and intermodal units, up percent. North American rail volume for the first 43 weeks of 2017 was 30,181,627 carloads and intermodal units, up 4.9 percent compared with 2016.

 

Canadian railroads reported 82,640 carloads for the week, up 0.9 percent, and 70,452 intermodal units, up 15.8 percent compared with the same week in 2016. For the first 43 weeks of 2017, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 6,252,399 carloads, containers and trailers, up 11.1 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 17,218 carloads for the week, up 5 percent compared with the same week last year, and 13,733 intermodal units, up 14.9 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 43 weeks of 2017 was 1,180,082 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, up 1.1 percent from the same point last year.