Class I

Employment on U.S. Class I railroads reached 159,340 in June, an increase of 1.15%, or 1,688 workers over May and a 5.16% increase over June 2010.

Train crew employment (transportation-train and engine) showed the strongest increase. The June figure of 64,111 was 1.64% higher than in May and 7.49% higher than in June 2010.

The number of maintenance-of-way and structures employees rose by 244 to 36,279 in May, an 0.7% increase, and was 3.79% higher than in June 2010.

Other employment groups also reported increases over a year ago, with the number of executives, officials, and staff assistants up 3.95% to 9,331; professional and administrative, up 3.3% to 13,824; maintenance of equipment and stores, up 3.8% to 29,126; and transportation (other than train and engine), up 2.36% to 6,669.

The figures are compiled by the Surface Transportation Board from numbers reported by the railroads.