After two weeks in which weekly U.S. rail traffic numbers showed major swings because of the Thanksgiving holiday, the latest numbers are back to normal — which is to say, showing a nominal overall increase.
Statistics from the Association of American Railroads for the week ending Dec. 7 show U.S. railroads moved 520,894 carloads and intermodal units, a 4.4% increase from the same week in 2023. That includes 224,899 carloads, down 1.8%, and 295,995 containers and trailers, up 9.7%.
Those figures come after a week that saw a 25.6% increase in traffic followed by one with a 13.8% decline. Where Thanksgiving fell in the calendar, compared to the previous year, influenced both those sets of statistics.
Through 49 weeks of 2024, carload traffic is down 3.1% while intermodal volume is up 6.8%, creating an overall gain of 3.3% compared to the same period a year ago.
North American volume, from nine reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads, includes 331,101 carloads, down 2.6% from the corresponding week in 2023, and 379,058 intermodal units, up 6.8%. That makes for a 2.2% gain over the same week last year and a 2.3% increase for the year to date. In Canada, year-to-date traffic is down 0.9%; in Mexico, it is up 3.3%.
Record rail intermodal, consumer spending signal positive outlook, says AAR
Tariff threats roil North American container marketplace
Shippers urge longshore union, employers to resume contract talks
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