Intermodal traffic shows signs of life in September

WASHINGTON – U.S. rail traffic was up 1.5% in September as intermodal had its best month of the year, the Association of American Railroads reported today.

U.S. railroads originated 921,716 carloads in September, up 2.3% from a year ago. U.S. railroads also originated 1,008,896 containers and trailers in September, up 0.7%.

In September, 13 of the 20 carload commodity categories tracked by the AAR each month saw year-over-year carload gains. These included: motor vehicles and parts, up 15.2%; petroleum and petroleum products, up 16.0%; and chemicals, 4.6%.

Commodities that saw declines in September included grain, down 9%; coal, down 1.4%; and coke, down 9.1%.

“Rail traffic, although improving, remains in uncertain territory along with the economy,” said AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray. “Intermodal had the best volume month of the year in September, showing, after three years, that ‘peak season’ still exists although much more reserved and occurring somewhat later than past peaks. Grain shipments improved slightly from extremely low summer levels, while chemicals and petroleum products had reasonably solid months. However, a sustained boost across rail categories will require stronger overall industrial growth.”

Excluding coal, carloads were up 4% in September. Excluding coal and grain, carloads were up 5.7%.

Total U.S. carload traffic for the first nine months of 2023 was up 0.3%, while intermodal dropped 8.2% from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 39 weeks of 2023 was down 4.3% compared to last year.

North American rail volume for the week ending Sept. 30 on 10 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads was 3.6% compared with the same week last year, while intermodal was down 1.5%. North American rail volume for the first 39 weeks of 2023 was down 3.8% compared with 2022.

More data is available at the AAR website.