Employment up modestly on Class I railroads

Employment on Class I railroads of the U.S. rose to 160,251 in mid-October, up a modest 0.01%, or 11 employees, over mid-September but 3.87% higher than in October 2010.

The strongest gains were in maintenance. Maintenance of equipment and stores rose 4.53% in October measured against employment a year earlier, and was up 0.72% from September 2011. Maintenance of way and structures employees increased 4.49% from year-earlier levels, and also rose 0.2% from mid-September.

Year-over-year increases were recorded in every employment category,
 according to the Surface Transportation Board Office of Safety Analysis. Compared with September 2011, only one category, Transportation (train and engine), saw a decline in October, down 0.51%.

Compared with October 2010 levels, inn mid-October 2011 the employment of Executives, officials, and staff
 assistants reached 9,354, up 2.57%; Professional and administrative rose 0.76% to 13,904; Transportation
(other than train and engine), with 6,727 employees, was up 2.47%; and Transportation (train and engine) advanced 4.25%.