AAR: Freight traffic gains keep pace

U.S. freight carload traffic rose 3.2% for the week ending Nov. 27, measured against the comparable week in 2009, the Association of American Railroads reported Thursday. AAR noted the 2009 comparison week included the Thanksgiving Day holiday. U.S. intermodal traffic for the week was up 10.8% compared with the same week in 2009, with container volume up 11.7% and trailer volume up 6.1%.

AAR said 15 of the 19 carload commodity groups gained ground in the most recent week, with all 19 groups posting cumulative gains for the 47 weeks of 2010 vs. the comparable period in 2009. Commodities posting double-digit gains included: metallic ores, up 78.6%; coke, up 53.9%; metals, up 26.6%; and waste and scrap, up 14.5%. Motor vehicles and equipment led the declining groups, down 28.4%.

Canadian freight carload traffic fell 2.4% from the comparable week in 2009, but intermodal gained 7.6%. Mexican freight carload traffic rose 15.6% from the same week last year, and intermodal advanced 8.6%.

Combined North American freight carload volume for the first 47 weeks of 2010 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads was up 9.3% from last year, while intermodal gained 14.8%.