Eastern railroads continue to be hit harder, with loadings down 16.3% for the week relative to year-ago levels; by contrast, loadings fell 9.3% in the West. Intermodal volume dropped 12.9% compared with last year. Total volume was estimated at 29.9 billion ton-miles, off 11.0% from a year ago.

Canadian railroads reported carload volume fell 8.4% for the week compared with the comparable 2008 period, while intermodal slipped 3.8%. Mexican railroads reported carload volume fell 6.1% for the week compared to a year ago, while intermodal declined 6.9%.

North American rail volume for the first six weeks of 2009 on 14 reporting U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads was down 15.9% from last year’s comparable six-week period, while intermodal fell 12.9% during the period.

AAR noted Canadian National’s recent acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Co. has resulted in some reporting changes that affect current totals and comparisons with last year.