AAR: North American Rail Volume Down Through 19 Weeks

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For the first 19 weeks of 2023 (ending May 13), total U.S. weekly rail traffic dipped 4.0% from the same point last year, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) May 17 report. Both Canada and the U.S. saw declines, while Mexico saw an increase.

North American rail volume for the first 19 weeks of the year (ending May 13) on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads came in at 12,232,554 carloads and intermodal units. Cumulative volume in Canada was 3,036,897 carloads, containers and trailers, down 0.2%; in Mexico, 522,423, carloads and intermodal units, up 1.4%; and in the U.S. 8,673,234 carloads and intermodal units, down 5.6%.

According to the AAR, for the week ending May 13, 2023, U.S. Class I railroads hauled a total of 466,381 carloads and intermodal units, falling 5.9% compared with the same week last year. This comprises 225,571 carloads—up 0.9% from the prior-year period—and 240,810 containers and trailers—down 11.5% compared with 2022.

Five of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2022. They included motor vehicles and parts, up 2,968 carloads, to 16,035; petroleum and petroleum products, up 1,452 carloads, to 9,491; and nonmetallic minerals, up 1,040 carloads, to 33,846. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2022 included grain, down 2,040 carloads, to 18,818; miscellaneous carloads, down 1,216 carloads, to 7,526; and farm products excl. grain, and food, down 462 carloads, to 15,540.

For the first 19 weeks of 2023, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 4,260,143 carloads, up 0.6% from the same point last year; and 4,413,091 intermodal units, down 10.9% from last year.

North American rail volume for the week ending May 13, 2023, on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 332,478 carloads, up 2.1% compared with the same week last year, and 322,390 intermodal units, down 12.1% compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 654,868 carloads and intermodal units, down 5.4%. North American rail volume for the first 19 weeks of 2023 was 12,232,554 carloads and intermodal units, down 4.0% compared with 2022.

Canadian railroads reported 89,784 carloads for the week, up 4.7%, and 70,736 intermodal units, down 15.0% compared with the same week in 2022. For the first 19 weeks of 2023, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 3,036,897 carloads, containers and trailers, down 0.2%.

Mexican railroads reported 17,123 carloads for the week, up 5.0% compared with the same week last year, and 10,844 intermodal units, down 5.2%. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 19 weeks of 2023 was 522,423 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, up 1.4% from the same point last year.