U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes start 2024 with gains, reports AAR
United States rail carload and intermodal volumes, for the week ending January 6, saw gains, according to data issued this week by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).
Rail carloads, at 208,176, were up 0.9% annually, topping the week ending December 30, at 182,062, and trailing the week ending December 23, at 230,946,
AAR said that seven of the 10 carload commodity groups it tracks saw annual gains, including: chemicals, up 2,858 carloads, to 29,083; farm products excl. grain, and food, up 1,199 carloads, to 16,362; and grain, up 1,083 carloads, to 21,667. Commodity groups posting annual declines included: motor vehicles and parts, down 2,318 carloads, to 9,429; coal, down 2,190 carloads, to 61,747; and nonmetallic minerals, down 1,662 carloads, to 24,312.
Intermodal containers and trailers, at 209,081, saw a 3.7% annual increase, topping the week ending December 30, at 188,738, and trailing the week ending December 23, at 255,841.
Total 2023 U.S. rail carload volume, at 11,701,875, eked out a 0.7%, or 81,504 carloads increase compared to 2022. And intermodal units, at 12,667,354, were off 4.9%, or 657,165 containers and trailers, annually.
