AAR

(Union Pacific Photograph)

AAR: Carloads Down, Intermodal Up for Week 10

U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 9, 2024 (Week 10) was up 5% from the prior-year period, as intermodal gains more than offset carload losses, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) latest report.

Senate Budget Committee Advances REEF Act

The Senate Budget Committee on March 6 voted unanimously to advance the bipartisan Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness (REEF) Act, which aims to protect railroad employees from cuts to unemployment and sickness insurance and eliminate mandated cuts to the Railroad Retirement Board’s Unemployment Insurance Account.

CN photo

AAR: February Data Shows Elements That ‘Inspire Optimism, Call for Caution’

“In February, U.S. rail traffic recovered from disruptions caused by severe winter weather in January. However, a closer look at February’s rail traffic data shows elements that inspire optimism and elements that call for caution,” said Association of American Railroad’s (AAR) newly appointed Chief Economist Dr. Rand Ghayad.

(Photograph Courtesy of Norfolk Southern)

AAR: Carload, Intermodal Upticks for Week 8

U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Feb. 24, 2024 (Week 8), came in at 483,656 carloads and intermodal units, rising 7.7% from the same week last year, based on 224,251 carloads—up 2.6% from 2023—and intermodal volume of 259,405 containers and trailers—up 12.6%, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Feb. 28.

AAR: North American Rail Volume Flat Through Week 7

Through the first seven weeks of 2024 (ending Feb. 17), total North American carload and intermodal traffic was down 0.2%—virtually flat—compared with the same point last year, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) Feb. 21 report. While Mexico saw a gain, Canada experienced a decline and U.S. traffic was virtually flat.

(Norfolk Southern Photograph)

North American Rail Volume Flat Through Week 6, AAR

Through the first six weeks of 2024 (ending Feb. 10), total North American carload and intermodal traffic was down 0.8%—virtually flat—compared with the same point last year, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) Feb. 14 report. While Mexico saw a gain, Canada experienced a decline and U.S. traffic was virtually flat.

AAR: ‘January Not Necessarily a Harbinger of What’s to Come’

“In January, severe winter weather significantly disrupted railroad and rail customer operations in much of the country,” said Association of American Railroads (AAR) economist Dan Keen. “Moreover, uncertainty remains in the economy, especially in sectors that are important to railroads, like manufacturing. Because of these factors, January is not necessarily a harbinger of what’s to come for rail traffic in the months ahead.”

(BNSF Photograph)

AAR: Carloads Down, Intermodal Up for Week 4

U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Jan. 27, 2024 (Week 4) was virtually flat with the prior-year period, as carload losses offset intermodal gains, according to the Association of American Railroads’ latest report.