Freight Traffic Remains Down on U.S. Railroads
19 Feb 2009
Contact: Tom White
(202) 639-2556; twhite@aar.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Freight Traffic Remains Down on U.S. Railroads
WASHINGTON, February 19, 2009 — U.S. railroads reported that freight volume during the week ended February 14 was once again down in comparison with last year, although it was up from the previous week this year, according to the Association of American Railroads.
Carload freight totaled 281,533 cars, down 12.2 percent from the comparison week in 2008, with loadings down 9.3 percent in the West and 16.3 percent in the East. Carload volume during the week was at its highest level so far this year and was up 6.2 percent from the previous week this year.
Intermodal volume of 191,410 trailers or containers was off 12.9 percent from last year, with container volume falling 8.4 percent and trailer volume dropping 29.3 percent. Intermodal volume was virtually the same as during the previous week this year. Total volume was estimated at 29.9 billion ton-miles, off 11.0 percent from 2008 but up 6.0 percent from the previous week this year.
Seventeen of nineteen carload commodity groups were off last week in comparison with last year, with coal up 0.1 percent and the miscellaneous category of "all other carloads" up 20.7 percent.
For the first six weeks of 2009, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 1,614,224 carloads, down 16.1 percent from 2008; 1,171,036 trailers or containers, down 13.2 percent; and total volume of an estimated 171.4 billion ton-miles, down 14.9 percent. Canadian railroads reported volume of 66,488 cars for the week, down 8.4 percent from last year, and 43,302 trailers or containers, down 3.8 percent. For the first six weeks of 2009, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 373,036 carloads, down 15.6 percent from last year; and 254,591 trailers or containers, down 10.2 percent.
Mexican railroads reported originated volume of 11,688 cars, down 6.1 percent from last year's sixth week, and 5,596 trailers or containers, off 6.9 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first six weeks of 2009 was reported as 63,822 carloads, down 13.0 percent from last year; and 27,855 trailers or containers, down 19.4 percent.
Combined North American rail volume for the first six weeks of 2009 on 14 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 2,051,082 carloads, down 15.9 percent from last year, and 1,453,482 trailers and containers, down 12.9 percent from last year.
Note: the recent acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern by Canadian National has resulted in some reporting changes that affect current totals and comparisons with last year.
Railroads reporting to AAR account for 89 percent of U.S. carload freight and 98 percent of rail intermodal volume. When the U.S. operations of Canadian railroads are included, the figures increase to 96 percent and 100 percent. The Canadian railroads reporting to the AAR account for 91 percent of Canadian rail traffic. Railroads provide more than 40 percent of U.S. intercity freight transportation, more than any other mode, and rail traffic figures are regarded as an important economic indicator.
AAR is the world's leading railroad policy, research and technology organization focusing on the safety and productivity of rail carriers.
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Weekly Traffic of Major U.S. Railroads For The Week Ending February 14, 2009. (PDF)