Carload and intermodal rail traffic in the U.S. was narrowly up for the week ending August 30.
Freight volumes finished 0.9% better than the same week a year ago, according to the Association of American Railroads.
Total carloads were up 0.6% y/y, while intermodal volume gained 1.2% from 2024.
Five of 10 commodity groups improved, led by chemicals, 4.9%, and metallic ores and metals, 3.5%.
Petroleum and associated products saw the steepest drop at 7.7%, followed by grain, 3.6%, and forest products, 3.4%.
U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume increased 2.5% through the first 35 weeks of 2025 from a year ago. Intermodal units were ahead 4.1%. Total combined U.S. traffic was up 3.4% y/y.
North American carloads for the week on nine reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads sank 2.2% y/y. Containers and trailers were up 5.2%. Total combined weekly traffic rose 1.6%. North American volume for the first 35 weeks of this year was up 2.7% compared with 2024.
Subscribe to FreightWaves’ Rail e-newsletter and get the latest insights on rail freight right in your inbox.
Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.
Related coverage:
Regulators OK Watco acquisition of Great Lakes Central Railroad
Trump fires rail regulator board member Primus ahead of merger decision
Intermodal drags down rail freight in latest week
CPKC: Railroads should focus on interline partnerships, not mergers
Brokerage Compliance Symposium
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
F3 Awards Dinner
The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
F3: Future of Freight Festival
Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowThe night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now