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[CNJRoss]

AAR news release:

 

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for May and Week Ending May 28, 2016

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 1, 2016 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported weekly U.S. rail traffic, as well as volumes for May 2016.

 

Carload traffic in May totaled 962,571 carloads, down 10.3 percent or 110,678 from May 2015. U.S. railroads also originated 1,049,631 containers and trailers in May 2016, down 3.3 percent or 36,365 units from the same month last year. For May 2016, combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations were 2,012,202, down 6.8 percent or 147,043 carloads and intermodal units from May 2015.

 

In May 2016, ten of the 20 carload commodity categories tracked by the AAR each month saw carload gains compared with May 2015. These included: miscellaneous carloads, up 30.8 percent or 5,854 carloads; crushed stone, gravel and sand, up 5.3 percent or 4,670 carloads; and chemicals, up 3.8 percent or 4,514 carloads. Commodities that saw declines in May 2016 from May 2015 included: coal, down 29.6 percent or 109,276 carloads; petroleum and petroleum products, down 20.3 percent or 11,988 carloads; and metallic ores, down 12.9 percent or 3,701 carloads.

 

Excluding coal, carloads were down 29.6 percent or 259,735 carloads from May 2015.

 

Total U.S. carload traffic for the first 21 weeks of 2016 was 5,050,191 carloads, down 13.6 percent or 792,892 carloads, while intermodal containers and trailers were 5,417,763 units, down 1.3 percent or 70,136 containers and trailers when compared to the same period in 2015. For the first five months of 2016, total rail traffic volume in the United States was 10,467,954 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.6 percent or 863,028 carloads and intermodal units from the same point last year.

 

"Most economists think the economy has picked up in the second quarter from the dismal 0.8 percent growth in the first quarter, but so far railroads aren't seeing much of it," said AAR Senior Vice President of Policy and Economics John T. Gray.  "A variety of environmental and market forces continue to punish coal, and high business inventory levels and excess truck capacity, among other things, are pressuring rail intermodal volumes.  Railroads are focusing on what they can control — providing safe, reliable service — while looking forward to the forces they can't control turning their way."

 

Week Ending May 28, 2016

Total U.S. weekly rail traffic for the week ending May 28, 2016 was 513,917 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.9 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending May 28 were 246,881 carloads, down 4.1 percent compared with the same week in 2015, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 267,036 containers and trailers, up 8 percent compared to 2015. Note: Traffic this week this year does not include Memorial Day. The comparable week last year does include Memorial Day. Therefore, this week's numbers are not a true reflection of rail traffic when compared to 2015.

 

Seven of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2015. They included miscellaneous carloads, up 57 percent to 11,119 carloads; motor vehicles and parts, up 10.2 percent to 18,897 carloads; and nonmetallic minerals, up 9.3 percent to 35,410 carloads. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2015 were coal, down 25 percent to 65,832 carloads; petroleum and petroleum products, down 13.9 percent to 12,258 carloads; and forest products, down 6.9 percent to 10,104 carloads.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending May 28, 2016, on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 330,252 carloads, down 5.5 percent compared with the same week last year, and 334,742 intermodal units, up 3.7 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 664,994 carloads and intermodal units, down 1.1 percent. North American rail volume for the first 21 weeks of 2016 was 13,720,573 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.3 percent compared with 2015.

 

Canadian railroads reported 65,392 carloads for the week, down 12.9 percent, and 56,557 intermodal units, down 10.8 percent compared with the same week in 2015. For the first 21 weeks of 2016, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 2,687,318 carloads, containers and trailers, down 7.5 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 17,979 carloads for the week, up 6 percent compared with the same week last year, and 11,149 intermodal units, down 8.6 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 21 weeks of 2016 was 565,301 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, down 0.1 percent from the same point last year.

[CNJRoss]

AAR news release:

 

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending​ June 4, 2016

​

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jun. 8, 2016 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Jun. 4, 2016.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 455,346 carloads and intermodal units, down 17.3 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending Jun. 4 were 224,258 carloads, down 16.6 percent compared with the same week in 2015, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 231,088 containers and trailers, down 17.9 percent compared to 2015.

 

Two of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2015. They were grain, up 2.3 percent to 18,628 carloads; and miscellaneous carloads, up 0.5 percent to 9,008 carloads. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2015 included petroleum and petroleum products, down 29.1 percent to 9,706 carloads; coal, down 23 percent to 68,008 carloads; and motor vehicles and parts, down 20.9 percent to 15,411 carloads.​

 

For the first 22 weeks of 2016, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 5,274,449 carloads, down 13.7 percent from the same point last year; and 5,648,851 intermodal units, down 2.1 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 22 weeks of 2016 was 10,923,300 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease of 8.1 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending Jun. 4, 2016, on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 307,051 carloads, down 14.8 percent compared with the same week last year, and 300,037 intermodal units, down 15.8 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 607,088 carloads and intermodal units, down 15.3 percent. North American rail volume for the first 22 weeks of 2016 was 14,327,661 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.7 percent compared with 2015.​

 

Canadian railroads reported 66,457 carloads for the week, down 11.3 percent, and 57,296 intermodal units, down 9.3 percent compared with the same week in 2015. For the first 22 weeks of 2016, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 2,811,071 carloads, containers and trailers, down 7.6 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 16,336 carloads for the week, down 1.6 percent compared with the same week last year, and 11,653 intermodal units, down 0.9 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 22 weeks of 2016 was 593,290 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, down 0.1 percent from the same point last year.

 

[CNJRoss]

AAR news release:

 

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending June 11, 2016

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jun. 15, 2016 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Jun. 11, 2016.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 513,471 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.5 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending Jun. 11 were 248,039 carloads, down 8.7 percent compared with the same week in 2015, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 265,432 containers and trailers, down 6.3 percent compared to 2015.

 

Four of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2015. They included miscellaneous carloads, up 16.4 percent to 11,149 carloads; farm products excl. grain, and food, up 2 percent to 16,545 carloads; and grain, up 0.6 percent to 20,300 carloads. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2015 included petroleum and petroleum products, down 23.5 percent to 10,820 carloads; coal, down 18.3 percent to 73,279 carloads; and metallic ores and metals, down 9.9 percent to 22,642 carloads.

 

For the first 23 weeks of 2016, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 5,522,488 carloads, down 13.5 percent from the same point last year; and 5,914,283 intermodal units, down 2.3 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 23 weeks of 2016 was 11,436,771 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease of 8 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending Jun. 11, 2016, on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 333,806 carloads, down 7.9 percent compared with the same week last year, and 335,295 intermodal units, down 6.5 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 669,101 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.2 percent. North American rail volume for the first 23 weeks of 2016 was 14,996,762 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.7 percent compared with 2015.

 

Canadian railroads reported 68,428 carloads for the week, down 7.5 percent, and 58,207 intermodal units, down 8.4 percent compared with the same week in 2015. For the first 23 weeks of 2016, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 2,937,706 carloads, containers and trailers, down 7.6 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 17,339 carloads for the week, up 3.4 percent compared with the same week last year, and 11,656 intermodal units, up 1 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 23 weeks of 2016 was 622,285 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, remaining flat from the same point last year.

[CNJRoss]

AAR news release:

 

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending June 18, 2016

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jun. 22, 2016 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Jun. 18, 2016.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 516,096 carloads and intermodal units, down 6.3 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending Jun. 18 were 250,748 carloads, down 8.5 percent compared with the same week in 2015, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 265,348 containers and trailers, down 4.2 percent compared to 2015.

 

Three of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2015. They were grain, up 24.3 percent to 22,711 carloads; miscellaneous carloads, up 16.8 percent to 10,454 carloads; and motor vehicles and parts, up 0.1 percent to 18,700 carloads. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2015 included petroleum and petroleum products, down 24.8 percent to 10,627 carloads; coal, down 20.6 percent to 75,606 carloads; and metallic ores and metals, down 8.9 percent to 22,944 carloads.

 

For the first 24 weeks of 2016, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 5,773,236 carloads, down 13.3 percent from the same point last year; and 6,179,631 intermodal units, down 2.4 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 24 weeks of 2016 was 11,952,867 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease of 8 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending Jun. 18, 2016, on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 334,723 carloads, down 9.3 percent compared with the same week last year, and 334,037 intermodal units, down 4.9 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 668,760 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.2 percent. North American rail volume for the first 24 weeks of 2016 was 15,665,522 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.6 percent compared with 2015.

 

Canadian railroads reported 67,059 carloads for the week, down 13.2 percent, and 57,744 intermodal units, down 7.9 percent compared with the same week in 2015. For the first 24 weeks of 2016, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 3,062,509 carloads, containers and trailers, down 7.8 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 16,916 carloads for the week, down 4.1 percent compared with the same week last year, and 10,945 intermodal units, down 5.7 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 24 weeks of 2016 was 650,146 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, down 0.2 percent from the same point last year.

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[CNJRoss]

AAR news release:

 

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending June 25, 2016

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jun. 29, 2016 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Jun. 25, 2016.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 526,161 carloads and intermodal units, down 3.9 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending Jun. 25 were 257,965 carloads, down 5.2 percent compared with the same week in 2015, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 268,196 containers and trailers, down 2.7 percent compared to 2015.

 

Three of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2015. They were miscellaneous carloads, up 20.7 percent to 10,559 carloads; grain, up 16.5 percent to 22,182 carloads; and motor vehicles and parts, up 2.7 percent to 19,339 carloads. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2015 included petroleum and petroleum products, down 15.3 percent to 11,657 carloads; coal, down 14.3 percent to 77,514 carloads; and forest products, down 7.1 percent to 10,623 carloads.

 

For the first 25 weeks of 2016, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 6,031,201 carloads, down 13 percent from the same point last year; and 6,447,827 intermodal units, down 2.4 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 25 weeks of 2016 was 12,479,028 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease of 7.8 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending Jun. 25, 2016, on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 345,606 carloads, down 6.6 percent compared with the same week last year, and 337,865 intermodal units, down 2.7 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 683,471 carloads and intermodal units, down 4.7 percent. North American rail volume for the first 25 weeks of 2016 was 16,348,993 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.5 percent compared with 2015.

 

Canadian railroads reported 69,822 carloads for the week, down 13.2 percent, and 58,608 intermodal units, down 2.2 percent compared with the same week in 2015. For the first 25 weeks of 2016, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 3,190,939 carloads, containers and trailers, down 7.8 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 17,819 carloads for the week, up 2.1 percent compared with the same week last year, and 11,061 intermodal units, down 4.9 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 25 weeks of 2016 was 679,026 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, down 0.2 percent from the same point last year.

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[CNJRoss]

AAR news release:

 

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for June and Week Ending July 2, 2016

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jul. 6, 2016 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported weekly U.S. rail traffic, as well as volumes for June 2016.

 

Carload traffic in June totaled 1,245,025 carloads, down 7 percent or 93,687 from June 2015. U.S. railroads also originated 1,295,240 containers and trailers in June 2016, down 5.6 percent or 76,920 units from the same month last year. For June 2016, combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations were 2,540,265, down 6.3 percent or 170,607 carloads and intermodal units from June 2015.

 

In June 2016, six of the 20 carload commodity categories tracked by the AAR each month saw carload gains compared with June 2015. These included: grain, up 13.8 percent or 12,982 carloads; miscellaneous carloads, up 17 percent or 4,569 carloads; and waste and nonferrous scrap, up 16.4 percent or 2,907 carloads.

 

Commodities that saw declines in June 2016 from June 2015 included: coal, down 16.4 percent or 73,194 carloads; petroleum and petroleum products, down 22.2 percent or 15,415 carloads; and crushed stone, gravel and sand, down 6.6 percent or 7,727 carloads.

 

Excluding coal, carloads were down 2.3 percent or 20,493 carloads in June 2016 from June 2015.

 

Total U.S. carload traffic for the first 26 weeks of 2016 was 6,295,216 carloads, down 12.3 percent or 886,579 carloads, while intermodal containers and trailers were 6,713,003 units, down 2.1 percent or 147,056 containers and trailers when compared to the same period in 2015. For the first six months of 2016, total rail traffic volume in the United States was 13,008,219 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.4 percent or 1,033,635 carloads and intermodal units from the same point last year.

 

"Rail traffic remains relatively weak, with slightly better coal volumes in June offset by continued weakness in intermodal caused in part by an inventory overhang and global economic uncertainty," said AAR Senior Vice President of Policy and Economics John T. Gray.  "Because current economic indicators are presenting a mixed picture, it's not clear if railroads should be pessimistic or cautiously optimistic about the near- to medium term."

 

Week Ending July 2, 2016

 

Total U.S. weekly rail traffic for the week ending July 2, 2016 was 529,191 carloads and intermodal units, up 4.4 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending Jul. 2 were 264,015 carloads, up 4.9 percent compared with the same week in 2015, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 265,176 containers and trailers, up 4 percent compared to 2015. Please note: The July 4 holiday is not included in Week 26 data for 2016, but is included in Week 26 data of 2015. Therefore, Week 26 data for 2016 is somewhat overstated compared to Week 26 of 2015.

 

Seven of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2015. They included miscellaneous carloads, up 30.9 percent to 10,824 carloads; motor vehicles and parts, up 29 percent to 18,742 carloads; and grain, up 26.4 percent to 23,248 carloads. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2015 were petroleum and petroleum products, down 18.2 percent to 11,186 carloads; coal, down 4.8 percent to 79,354 carloads; and forest products, down 0.3 percent to 11,019 carloads.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending Jul. 2, 2016, on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 350,358 carloads, up 2.8 percent compared with the same week last year, and 333,729 intermodal units, up 2.6 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 684,087 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.7 percent. North American rail volume for the first 26 weeks of 2016 was 17,033,080 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.1 percent compared with 2015.

 

Canadian railroads reported 68,940 carloads for the week, down 6.3 percent, and 57,454 intermodal units, down 3.8 percent compared with the same week in 2015. For the first 26 weeks of 2016, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 3,317,333 carloads, containers and trailers, down 7.7 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 17,403 carloads for the week, up 12.6 percent compared with the same week last year, and 11,099 intermodal units, up 6.1 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 26 weeks of 2016 was 707,528 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, up 0.1 percent from the same point last year.

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[CNJRoss]

AAR news release:

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending July 9, 2016

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 13, 2016 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 9, 2016.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 442,113 carloads and intermodal units, down 17.2 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending July 9 were 226,615 carloads, down 16.5 percent compared with the same week in 2015, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 215,498 containers and trailers, down 17.9 percent compared to 2015.

 

Two of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2015. They were miscellaneous carloads, up 12.2 percent to 9,283 carloads; and grain, up 12 percent to 20,746 carloads. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2015 included coal, down 23.4 percent to 72,998 carloads; nonmetallic minerals, down 20.9 percent to 29,069 carloads; petroleum and petroleum products, down 19 percent to 10,432 carloads and motor vehicles and parts, also down 19 percent to 12,399 carloads.

 

For the first 27 weeks of 2016, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 6,521,831 carloads, down 12.5 percent from the same point last year; and 6,928,501 intermodal units, down 2.7 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 27 weeks of 2016 was 13,450,332 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease of 7.7 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending July 9, 2016, on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 308,693 carloads, down 15 percent compared with the same week last year, and 285,660 intermodal units, down 15.1 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 594,353 carloads and intermodal units, down 15 percent. North American rail volume for the first 27 weeks of 2016 was 17,627,433 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.4 percent compared with 2015.

 

Canadian railroads reported 66,806 carloads for the week, down 11.3 percent, and 58,653 intermodal units, down 6.6 percent compared with the same week in 2015. For the first 27 weeks of 2016, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 3,442,792 carloads, containers and trailers, down 7.8 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 15,272 carloads for the week, down 7.2 percent compared with the same week last year, and 11,509 intermodal units, up 5.7 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 27 weeks of 2016 was 734,309 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, remaining flat from the same point last year.

[CNJRoss]

AAR news release:

 

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending July 16, 2016

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jul. 20, 2016 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Jul. 16, 2016.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 520,222 carloads and intermodal units, down 5.6 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending Jul. 16 were 262,202 carloads, down 5.4 percent compared with the same week in 2015, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 258,020 containers and trailers, down 5.8 percent compared to 2015.

 

Three of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2015. They were grain, up 25.3 percent to 25,681 carloads; miscellaneous carloads, up 14 percent to 10,647 carloads; and chemicals, up 2.9 percent to 30,917 carloads. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2015 included petroleum and petroleum products, down 15.8 percent to 11,221 carloads; coal, down 15.5 percent to 84,272 carloads; and forest products, down 10.3 percent to 9,894 carloads.

 

For the first 28 weeks of 2016, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 6,784,480 carloads, down 12.2 percent from the same point last year; and 7,186,521 intermodal units, down 2.8 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 28 weeks of 2016 was 13,971,001 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease of 7.6 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending Jul. 16, 2016, on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 346,234 carloads, down 6.5 percent compared with the same week last year, and 328,048 intermodal units, down 5.6 percent compared with last year.

 

Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 674,282 carloads and intermodal units, down 6.1 percent. North American rail volume for the first 28 weeks of 2016 was 18,302,162 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.4 percent compared with 2015.

 

Canadian railroads reported 67,832 carloads for the week, down 11.1 percent, and 59,043 intermodal units, down 5.6 percent compared with the same week in 2015. For the first 28 weeks of 2016, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 3,569,667 carloads, containers and trailers, down 7.8 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 16,200 carloads for the week, down 5.2 percent compared with the same week last year, and 10,985 intermodal units, down 0.6 percent.

 

Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 28 weeks of 2016 was 761,494 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, down 0.1 percent from the same point last year.

[CNJRoss]

AAR news release:

 

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending July 23, 2016

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 27, 2016 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 23, 2016.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 528,070 carloads and intermodal units, down 5.3 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending July 23 were 261,748 carloads, down 8.7 percent compared with the same week in 2015, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 266,322 containers and trailers, down 1.7 percent compared to 2015.

 

Four of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2015. They included miscellaneous carloads, up 28.3 percent to 10,916 carloads; grain, up 9.2 percent to 24,038 carloads; and chemicals, up 2.5 percent to 30,432 carloads. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2015 included petroleum and petroleum products, down 27.5 percent to 10,260 carloads; coal, down 19.4 percent to 83,677 carloads; and motor vehicles and parts, down 13.8 percent to 14,615 carloads.

 

For the first 29 weeks of 2016, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 7,046,228 carloads, down 12.1 percent from the same point last year; and 7,452,843 intermodal units, down 2.8 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 29 weeks of 2016 was 14,499,071 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease of 7.6 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending July 23, 2016, on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 347,840 carloads, down 9.1 percent compared with the same week last year, and 337,939 intermodal units, down 1.9 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 685,779 carloads and intermodal units, down 5.7 percent. North American rail volume for the first 29 weeks of 2016 was 18,987,941 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.3 percent compared with 2015.

 

Canadian railroads reported 70,111 carloads for the week, down 10.5 percent, and 61,724 intermodal units, down 1.3 percent compared with the same week in 2015. For the first 29 weeks of 2016, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 3,701,502 carloads, containers and trailers, down 7.7 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 15,981 carloads for the week, down 8.1 percent compared with the same week last year, and 9,893 intermodal units, down 9.9 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 29 weeks of 2016 was 787,368 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, down 0.4 percent from the same point last year.

[CNJRoss]

AAR news release:

 

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for July and Week Ending July 30, 2016

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – August 3, 2016 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported weekly U.S. rail traffic, as well as volumes for July 2016.

 

Carload traffic in July totaled 1,025,367 carloads, down 8.8 percent or 99,530 carloads from July 2015. U.S. railroads also originated 1,002,401 containers and trailers in July 2016, down 6.9 percent or 74,482 units from the same month last year. For July 2016, combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations were 2,027,768, down 7.9 percent or 174,012 carloads and intermodal units from July 2015.

 

In July 2016, four of the 20 carload commodity categories tracked by the AAR each month saw carload gains compared with July 2015. These included: grain, up 15.3 percent or 12,641 carloads; waste and nonferrous scrap, up 25.9 percent or 3,400 carloads; and miscellaneous carloads, up 12.9 percent or 2,880 carloads. Commodities that saw declines in July 2016 from July 2015 included: coal, down 17.5 percent or 70,479 carloads; petroleum and petroleum products, down 22 percent or 11,926 carloads; and crushed stone, gravel and sand, down 11.6 percent or 11,765 carloads.

 

Excluding coal, carloads were down 4 percent or 29,051 carloads in July 2016 from July 2015.

 

Total U.S. carload traffic for the first 30 weeks of 2016 was 7,320,583 carloads, down 11.9 percent or 986,109 carloads, while intermodal containers and trailers were 7,715,404 units, down 2.8 percent or 221,538 containers and trailers when compared to the same period in 2015. For the first seven months of 2016, total rail traffic volume in the United States was 15,035,987 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.4 percent or 1,207,647 carloads and intermodal units from the same point last year.

 

"Rail traffic continues to reflect the uncertainty rail customers face in a challenging economic environment," said AAR Senior Vice President of Policy and Economics John T. Gray, who noted rail intermodal remained off from 2015's record traffic level while carloads showed a small improvement in coal and a bit of an improvement in grain. "For the present, railroads are focused on providing safe and efficient service to their customers, while watching to see if the increase in consumer spending in the second quarter will lead to additional Gross Domestic Product growth in the second half of the year."

 

Week Ending July 30, 2016

Total U.S. weekly rail traffic for the week ending July 30, 2016 was 536,916 carloads and intermodal units, down 4 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending July 30 were 274,355 carloads, down 5.3 percent compared with the same week in 2015, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 262,561 containers and trailers, down 2.6 percent compared to 2015.

 

Four of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2015. They included miscellaneous carloads, up 16.7 percent to 10,839 carloads; grain, up 14.9 percent to 24,677 carloads; and chemicals, up 3.1 percent to 31,025 carloads. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2015 included petroleum and petroleum products, down 25 percent to 10,383 carloads; coal, down 12.2 percent to 90,330 carloads; and forest products, down 8.1 percent to 10,329 carloads.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending July 30, 2016, on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 361,377 carloads, down 5.9 percent compared with the same week last year, and 330,964 intermodal units, down 3 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 692,341 carloads and intermodal units, down 4.5 percent. North American rail volume for the first 30 weeks of 2016 was 19,680,282 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.2 percent compared with 2015.

 

Canadian railroads reported 71,718 carloads for the week, down 6.7 percent, and 62,043 intermodal units, up 2.5 percent compared with the same week in 2015. For the first 30 weeks of 2016, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 3,835,263 carloads, containers and trailers, down 7.6 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 15,304 carloads for the week, down 12.1 percent compared with the same week last year, and 6,360 intermodal units, down 42.7 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 30 weeks of 2016 was 809,032 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, down 1.2 percent from the same point last year.

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