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[CNJRoss]

AAR news release:

 

Rail Traffic for the Week Ending October 20, 2018

 

Rail Traffic for the Week Ending October 20, 2018

 

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 24, 2018 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending October 20, 2018.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 555,106 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.5 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending October 20 were 265,776 carloads, down 0.7 percent compared with the same week in 2017, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 289,330 containers and trailers, up 1.6 percent compared to 2017.

 

Five of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2017. They included petroleum and petroleum products, up 1,790 carloads, to 11,955; miscellaneous carloads, up 1,267 carloads, to 11,370; and metallic ores and metals, up 1,056 carloads, to 23,369. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2017 included nonmetallic minerals, down 3,788 carloads, to 36,102; grain, down 1,594 carloads, to 22,431; and farm products excl. grain, and food, down 722 carloads, to 16,808.

 

For the first 42 weeks of 2018, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 11,047,756 carloads, up 1.8 percent from the same point last year; and 11,691,908 intermodal units, up 5.7 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 42 weeks of 2018 was 22,739,664 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 3.8 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending October 20, 2018, on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 374,491 carloads, up 0.8 percent compared with the same week last year, and 381,107 intermodal units, up 1.5 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 755,598 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.1 percent. North American rail volume for the first 42 weeks of 2018 was 30,682,186 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.4 percent compared with 2017.

 

Canadian railroads reported 87,523 carloads for the week, up 5.3 percent, and 71,830 intermodal units, up 2.1 percent compared with the same week in 2017. For the first 42 weeks of 2018, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 6,314,875 carloads, containers and trailers, up 3.6 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 21,192 carloads for the week, up 2.5 percent compared with the same week last year, and 19,947 intermodal units, down 3.2 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 42 weeks of 2018 was 1,627,647 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers.

 

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[CNJRoss]

AAR news release:

 

Rail Traffic for the Week Ending October 27, 2018

 

Rail Traffic for the Week Ending October 27, 2018

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 31, 2018 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending October 27, 2018.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 562,804 carloads and intermodal units, up 4.4 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending October 27 were 268,535 carloads, up 2.6 percent compared with the same week in 2017, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 294,269 containers and trailers, up 6.1 percent compared to 2017.

 

Eight of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2017. They included coal, up 4,373 carloads, to 87,975; petroleum and petroleum products, up 3,548 carloads, to 13,188; and chemicals, up 1,681 carloads, to 31,689. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2017 were nonmetallic minerals, down 4,097 carloads, to 35,193; and motor vehicles and parts, down 816 carloads, to 16,852.

 

For the first 43 weeks of 2018, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 11,316,291 carloads, up 1.9 percent from the same point last year; and 11,986,177 intermodal units, up 5.7 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 43 weeks of 2018 was 23,302,468 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 3.8 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending October 27, 2018, on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 376,943 carloads, up 3 percent compared with the same week last year, and 389,322 intermodal units, up 5.4 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 766,265 carloads and intermodal units, up 4.2 percent. North American rail volume for the first 43 weeks of 2018 was 31,448,451 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.5 percent compared with 2017.

 

Canadian railroads reported 88,696 carloads for the week, up 7.5 percent, and 73,726 intermodal units, up 4.8 percent compared with the same week in 2017. For the first 43 weeks of 2018, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 6,477,297 carloads, containers and trailers, up 3.7 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 19,712 carloads for the week, down 8.8 percent compared with the same week last year, and 21,327 intermodal units, down 1.7 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 43 weeks of 2018 was 1,668,686 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers.

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[CNJRoss]

AAR news release:

 

Rail Traffic for October and the Week Ending November 3, 2018

 

Rail Traffic for the Week Ending November 3, 2018

 

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 7, 2018 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending November 3, 2018, as well as volumes for October 2018.

 

U.S. railroads originated 1,338,037 carloads in October 2018, up 1 percent, or 12,598 carloads, from October 2017. U.S. railroads also originated 1,443,914 containers and trailers in October 2018, up 4.2 percent, or 58,546 units, from the same month last year. Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in October 2018 were 2,781,951, up 2.6 percent, or 71,144 carloads and intermodal units from October 2017.

 

In October 2018, 13 of the 20 carload commodity categories tracked by the AAR each month saw carload gains compared with October 2017. These included: petroleum & petroleum products, up 13,746 carloads or 28.4 percent; coal, up 6,828 carloads or 1.6 percent; and primary metal products, up 4,188 carloads or 9.8 percent. Commodities that saw declines in October 2018 from October 2017 included: crushed stone, sand & gravel, down 12,745 carloads or 9.6 percent; grain, down 5,620 carloads or 4.8 percent; and coke, down 2,067 carloads or 9.9 percent.

 

“U.S. rail traffic in October was mixed.  On the negative side, changing market conditions for frac sand caused lower rail carloads of crushed stone, sand, and gravel, while uncertainties in export markets helped keep grain carloads down,” said AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray.  “On the plus side, coal carloads in October rose for the first time in five months and intermodal enjoyed its second-best month ever.  All in all, we expect most rail traffic categories to continue to benefit from what we hope will be continued solid economic growth.”

 

Excluding coal, carloads were up 5,770 carloads, or 0.6 percent, in October 2018 from October 2017. Excluding coal and grain, carloads were up 11,390 carloads, or 1.5 percent.

 

Total U.S. carload traffic for the first 10 months of 2018 was 11,586,596 carloads, up 1.9 percent, or 212,136 carloads, from the same period last year; and 12,275,918 intermodal units, up 5.8 percent, or 671,960 containers and trailers, from last year.

Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 44 weeks of 2018 was 23,862,514 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 3.8 percent compared to last year.

 

Week Ending November 3, 2018

Total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 560,046 carloads and intermodal units, up 5.4 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending November 3 were 270,305 carloads, up 1.8 percent compared with the same week in 2017, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 289,741 containers and trailers, up 8.9 percent compared to 2017.

 

Seven of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2017. They included petroleum and petroleum products, up 3,005 carloads, to 12,668; miscellaneous carloads, up 2,273 carloads, to 11,613; and metallic ores and metals, up 1,485 carloads, to 24,191. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2017 were grain, down 2,904 carloads, to 20,441; nonmetallic minerals, down 1,062 carloads, to 36,613; and motor vehicles and parts, down 837 carloads, to 16,681.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending November 3, 2018, on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 377,391 carloads, up 3 percent compared with the same week last year, and 382,068 intermodal units, up 7.3 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 759,459 carloads and intermodal units, up 5.1 percent. North American rail volume for the first 44 weeks of 2018 was 32,207,910 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.5 percent compared with 2017.

 

Canadian railroads reported 88,275 carloads for the week, up 7.7 percent, and 72,338 intermodal units, up 1.9 percent compared with the same week in 2017. For the first 44 weeks of 2018, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 6,637,910 carloads, containers and trailers, up 3.7 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 18,811 carloads for the week, down 1.3 percent compared with the same week last year, and 19,989 intermodal units, up 5.3 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 44 weeks of 2018 was 1,707,486 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers.

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[CNJRoss]

AAR news release:

 

Rail Traffic for the Week Ending November 10, 2018

 

Rail Traffic for the Week Ending November 10, 2018

 

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 14, 2018 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending November 10, 2018.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 547,236 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.4 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending November 10 were 261,875 carloads, up 0.1 percent compared with the same week in 2017, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 285,361 containers and trailers, up 2.6 percent compared to 2017.

 

Five of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2017. They included petroleum and petroleum products, up 3,044 carloads, to 13,352; miscellaneous carloads, up 2,081 carloads, to 11,795; and chemicals, up 800 carloads, to 31,431. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2017 included nonmetallic minerals, down 3,858 carloads, to 32,970; grain, down 1,471 carloads, to 21,389; and coal, down 628 carloads, to 84,532.

 

For the first 45 weeks of 2018, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 11,848,471 carloads, up 1.8 percent from the same point last year; and 12,561,279 intermodal units, up 5.7 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 45 weeks of 2018 was 24,409,750 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 3.8 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending November 10, 2018, on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 369,262 carloads, up 0.9 percent compared with the same week last year, and 376,942 intermodal units, up 2.6 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 746,204 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.8 percent. North American rail volume for the first 45 weeks of 2018 was 32,954,114 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.5 percent compared with 2017.

 

Canadian railroads reported 87,750 carloads for the week, up 8.0 percent, and 72,172 intermodal units, up 3.4 percent compared with the same week in 2017. For the first 45 weeks of 2018, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 6,797,832 carloads, containers and trailers, up 3.8 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 19,637 carloads for the week, down 14.8 percent compared with the same week last year, and 19,409 intermodal units, up 0.2 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 45 weeks of 2018 was 1,746,532 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers.

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[CNJRoss]

AAR news release:

 

Rail Traffic for the Week Ending November 17, 2018

 

Rail Traffic for the Week Ending November 17, 2018

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 21, 2018 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending November 17, 2018.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 546,541 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.04 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending November 17 were 262,514 carloads, down 1.1 percent compared with the same week in 2017, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 284,027 containers and trailers, up 1.1 percent compared to 2017.

 

Three of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2017. They were petroleum and petroleum products, up 2,440 carloads, to 12,623; grain, up 1,668 carloads, to 23,601; and miscellaneous carloads, up 164 carloads, to 9,897. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2017 included nonmetallic minerals, down 3,496 carloads, to 33,262; motor vehicles and parts, down 2,009 carloads, to 16,018; and farm products excl. grain, and food, down 613 carloads, to 16,141.

 

For the first 46 weeks of 2018, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 12,110,985 carloads, up 1.8 percent from the same point last year; and 12,845,306 intermodal units, up 5.6 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 46 weeks of 2018 was 24,956,291 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 3.7 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending November 17, 2018, on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 370,321 carloads, up 0.6 percent compared with the same week last year, and 370,544 intermodal units, up 0.4 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 740,865 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.5 percent. North American rail volume for the first 46 weeks of 2018 was 33,694,979 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.4 percent compared with 2017.

 

Canadian railroads reported 86,834 carloads for the week, up 8.7 percent, and 69,418 intermodal units, up 1.7 percent compared with the same week in 2017. For the first 46 weeks of 2018, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 6,954,084 carloads, containers and trailers, up 3.8 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 20,973 carloads for the week, down 8.5 percent compared with the same week last year, and 17,099 intermodal units, down 14.2 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 46 weeks of 2018 was 1,784,604 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers.

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[CNJRoss]

AAR news release:

 

Rail Traffic for the Week Ending November 24, 2018

 

Rail Traffic for the Week Ending November 24, 2018

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 28, 2018 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending November 24, 2018.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 470,851 carloads and intermodal units, up 3 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending November 24 were 232,954 carloads, up 1.7 percent compared with the same week in 2017, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 237,897 containers and trailers, up 4.3 percent compared to 2017.

 

Seven of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2017. They included petroleum and petroleum products, up 3,501 carloads, to 12,329; grain, up 1,373 carloads, to 20,061; and chemicals, up 846 carloads, to 27,851. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2017 were nonmetallic minerals, down 3,147 carloads, to 25,346; farm products excl. grain, and food, down 461 carloads, to 14,013; and motor vehicles and parts, down 202 carloads, to 14,132.

 

For the first 47 weeks of 2018, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 12,343,939 carloads, up 1.8 percent from the same point last year; and 13,083,203 intermodal units, up 5.6 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 47 weeks of 2018 was 25,427,142 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 3.7 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending November 24, 2018, on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 336,379 carloads, up 2.3 percent compared with the same week last year, and 324,042 intermodal units, up 3.8 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 660,421 carloads and intermodal units, up 3 percent. North American rail volume for the first 47 weeks of 2018 was 34,355,400 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.4 percent compared with 2017.

 

Canadian railroads reported 84,509 carloads for the week, up 7.8 percent, and 68,592 intermodal units, up 4.6 percent compared with the same week in 2017. For the first 47 weeks of 2018, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 7,107,185 carloads, containers and trailers, up 3.9 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 18,916 carloads for the week, down 11.2 percent compared with the same week last year, and 17,553 intermodal units, down 5.8 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 47 weeks of 2018 was 1,821,073 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers.

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[CNJRoss]

AAR news release:

 

Rail Traffic for November and the Week Ending December 1, 2018

 

Rail Traffic for November and the Week Ending December 1, 2018

 

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 5, 2018 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending December 1, 2018, as well as volumes for November 2018.

 

U.S. railroads originated 1,032,067 carloads in November 2018, down 0.2 percent, or 2,418 carloads, from November 2017. U.S. railroads also originated 1,100,815 containers and trailers in November 2018, up 2.5 percent, or 27,142 units, from the same month last year. Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in November 2018 were 2,132,882, up 1.2 percent, or 24,724 carloads and intermodal units from November 2017.

 

In November 2018, nine of the 20 carload commodity categories tracked by the AAR each month saw carload gains compared with November 2017. These included: petroleum & petroleum products, up 11,674 carloads or 29 percent; all other carloads, up 2,920 carloads or 13.7 percent; and primary metal products, up 2,636 carloads or 7.9 percent. Commodities that saw declines in November 2018 from November 2017 included: crushed stone, sand & gravel, down 12,090 carloads or 12.8 percent; motor vehicles & parts, down 3,704 carloads or 5.5 percent; and coal, down 2,840 carloads or 0.8 percent.

 

“Rail traffic was not as strong in November as in other recent months. Total carloads fell for the first time in nine months, in part because of lower carloads of frac sand, while intermodal grew only modestly,” said AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray.  “November might just be a temporary correction as rail customers rebalance inventories. However, it would be prudent to keep an eye on forward-looking economic indicators.  It’s much too soon to sound an economic alarm, but there is uncertainty, especially regarding trade policy, that is causing volatility in markets railroads serve.”

 

Excluding coal, carloads were up 422 carloads, or 0.1 percent, in November 2018 from November 2017. Excluding coal and grain, carloads were up 2,140 carloads, or 0.4 percent.

 

Total U.S. carload traffic for the first 11 months of 2018 was 12,618,663 carloads, up 1.7 percent, or 209,718 carloads, from the same period last year; and 13,376,733 intermodal units, up 5.5 percent, or 699,102 containers and trailers, from last year.

 

Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 48 weeks of 2018 was 25,995,396 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 3.6 percent compared to last year.

 

Week Ending December 1, 2018

 

Total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 567,282 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.4 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending December 1 were 273,752 carloads, down 1.7 percent compared with the same week in 2017, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 293,530 containers and trailers, up 2.4 percent compared to 2017.

 

Five of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2017. They included metallic ores and metals, up 2,843 carloads, to 25,204; petroleum and petroleum products, up 2,689 carloads, to 13,599; and forest products, up 555 carloads, to 11,175. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2017 included grain, down 3,288 carloads, to 22,424; nonmetallic minerals, down 2,982 carloads, to 34,369; and coal, down 2,748 carloads, to 88,009.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending December 1, 2018, on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 383,533 carloads, down 0.3 percent compared with the same week last year, and 382,810 intermodal units, up 0.9 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 766,343 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.3 percent. North American rail volume for the first 48 weeks of 2018 was 35,122,715 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.3 percent compared with 2017.

 

Canadian railroads reported 88,579 carloads for the week, up 5.6 percent, and 70,838 intermodal units, down 2.5 percent compared with the same week in 2017. For the first 48 weeks of 2018, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 7,266,602 carloads, containers and trailers, up 3.8 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 21,202 carloads for the week, down 4.8 percent compared with the same week last year, and 18,442 intermodal units, down 8.2 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 48 weeks of 2018 was 1,860,717 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers.

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[CNJRoss]

AAR news release:

 

Rail Traffic for the Week Ending December 8, 2018

 

Rail Traffic for the Week Ending December 8, 2018

 

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 12, 2018 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending December 8, 2018.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 570,225 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.1 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending December 8 were 267,000 carloads, up 0.3 percent compared with the same week in 2017, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 303,225 containers and trailers, up 5.7 percent compared to 2017.

 

Five of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2017. They included petroleum and petroleum products, up 2,464 carloads, to 13,286; miscellaneous carloads, up 1,754 carloads, to 10,824; and metallic ores and metals, up 400 carloads, to 22,517. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2017 included nonmetallic minerals, down 2,271 carloads, to 31,809; coal, down 1,114 carloads, to 88,543; and grain, down 638 carloads, to 23,082.

 

For the first 49 weeks of 2018, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 12,885,663 carloads, up 1.7 percent from the same point last year; and 13,679,958 intermodal units, up 5.5 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 49 weeks of 2018 was 26,565,621 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 3.6 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending December 8, 2018, on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 370,277 carloads, up 0.04 percent compared with the same week last year, and 395,454 intermodal units, up 5.4 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 765,731 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.8 percent. North American rail volume for the first 49 weeks of 2018 was 35,888,446 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.3 percent compared with 2017.

 

Canadian railroads reported 82,129 carloads for the week, up 0.1 percent, and 73,115 intermodal units, up 4.7 percent compared with the same week in 2017. For the first 49 weeks of 2018, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 7,421,846 carloads, containers and trailers, up 3.8 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 21,148 carloads for the week, down 3 percent compared with the same week last year, and 19,114 intermodal units, up 5 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 49 weeks of 2018 was 1,900,979 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers.

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[CNJRoss]

AAR news release:

 

Rail Traffic for the Week Ending December 15, 2018

 

Rail Traffic for the Week Ending December 15, 2018

 

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 19, 2018 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending December 15, 2018.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 568,941 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.9 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending December 15 were 267,534 carloads, up 1.4 percent compared with the same week in 2017, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 301,407 containers and trailers, up 6.2 percent compared to 2017.

 

Five of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2017. They included coal, up 3,262 carloads, to 91,218; petroleum and petroleum products, up 2,897 carloads, to 13,551; and metallic ores and metals, up 820 carloads, to 23,929. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2017 included nonmetallic minerals, down 2,078 carloads, to 30,549; grain, down 1,030 carloads, to 22,550; and motor vehicles and parts, down 340 carloads, to 17,304.

 

For the first 50 weeks of 2018, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 13,153,197 carloads, up 1.7 percent from the same point last year; and 13,981,365 intermodal units, up 5.5 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 50 weeks of 2018 was 27,134,562 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 3.6 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending December 15, 2018, on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 373,285 carloads, up 1.6 percent compared with the same week last year, and 393,598 intermodal units, up 6.2 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 766,883 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.9 percent. North American rail volume for the first 50 weeks of 2018 was 36,655,329 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.3 percent compared with 2017.

 

Canadian railroads reported 84,550 carloads for the week, up 3.4 percent, and 72,894 intermodal units, up 5.2 percent compared with the same week in 2017. For the first 50 weeks of 2018, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 7,579,290 carloads, containers and trailers, up 3.8 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 21,201 carloads for the week, down 2.3 percent compared with the same week last year, and 19,297 intermodal units, up 10.5 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 50 weeks of 2018 was 1,941,477 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers.

 

Holiday Schedule for Christmas and New Year’s Day

Because the receipt of traffic data from the railroads will be delayed during Weeks 51 and 52, we plan to release these reports on Thursday, December 27, 2018, and Thursday, January 3, 2019, respectively, at 12:00 AM Eastern Standard Time.

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[CNJRoss]

AAR news release:

 

Rail Traffic for the Week Ending December 22, 2018

 

Rail Traffic for the Week Ending December 22, 2018

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 27, 2018 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending December 22, 2018.

 

For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 567,252 carloads and intermodal units, up 4.2 percent compared with the same week last year.

 

Total carloads for the week ending December 22 were 277,111 carloads, up 3.1 percent compared with the same week in 2017, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 290,141 containers and trailers, up 5.3 percent compared to 2017.

 

Six of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2017. They included coal, up 4,039 carloads, to 93,964; petroleum and petroleum products, up 2,019 carloads, to 13,401; and chemicals, up 1,908 carloads, to 35,032. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2017 included metallic ores and metals, down 1,194 carloads, to 24,385; nonmetallic minerals, down 257 carloads, to 32,826; and farm products excl. grain, and food, down 74 carloads, to 16,391.

 

For the first 51 weeks of 2018, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 13,430,308 carloads, up 1.7 percent from the same point last year; and 14,271,506 intermodal units, up 5.5 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 51 weeks of 2018 was 27,701,814 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 3.6 percent compared to last year.

 

North American rail volume for the week ending December 22, 2018, on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 385,992 carloads, up 2.9 percent compared with the same week last year, and 379,667 intermodal units, up 4.8 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 765,659 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.9 percent. North American rail volume for the first 51 weeks of 2018 was 37,424,031 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.4 percent compared with 2017.

 

Canadian railroads reported 87,956 carloads for the week, up 4.8 percent, and 71,747 intermodal units, up 4.4 percent compared with the same week in 2017. For the first 51 weeks of 2018, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 7,738,993 carloads, containers and trailers, up 3.8 percent.

 

Mexican railroads reported 20,925 carloads for the week, down 6.2 percent compared with the same week last year, and 17,779 intermodal units, down 0.8 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 51 weeks of 2018 was 1,983,224 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers.

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