WASHINGTON – U.S. rail traffic continues to run above 2020 levels, according to the latest information from the Association of American Railroads, although the rate of the increase has cooled somewhat.
For the week ending Feb. 6, the overall traffic of 495,815 carloads and intermodal units was a 2.2% increase over the corresponding week in 2020. Intermodal container and trailer traffic totaled 269,422 units, up 6.4% over 2020, while the 226,393 carloads represent a 2.5% decrease.
As recently as two weeks ago, overall traffic was up 5.8% over the same week in 2020, with intermodal traffic running 12.8% ahead of year-earlier levels.
Grain continues to show the greatest increase among the 10 carload commodity groups, running 24.3% above 2020 levels. Half of the 10 commodities show increases above 2020 levels.
Total North American traffic, for the 12 reporting U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads, included 674,927 carloads and intermodal units, a 2.1% increase, with intermodal traffic up 11% and carloads down 2.4%. In Canada, carload traffic was up 1.1% and intermodal traffic was up 14.2%.
