WASHINGTON — Carload traffic remains down while intermodal volume is up, leading to an overall gain in U.S. rail traffic for the week ending May 25, according to statistics from the Association of American Railroads.
U.S. railroads reported total traffic of 485,232 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.2% over the same week in 2023. That included 217,744 carloads, down 6.9%, and 267,488 containers and trailers, up 8.9%.
Through 21 weeks, 2024 carload volume is down 5% while intermodal traffic is up 8.6%, for a total gain of 1.9% compared to the same period a year ago.
North American figures for the week, from 10 reporting U.S, Canadian, and Mexican railroads, include 320,227 carloads, down 4.2% from the corresponding week a year ago, and 350,486 intermodal units, up 5.7%. The combined total of 670,712 carloads and intermodal units represents a 0.7% increase, while the year-to-date total is up 2% compared to 2023.
Canadian traffic through 21 weeks of 2024 is up 0.7% from the same period a year ago, while Mexican volume is up 11.2%.
