More gains for U.S. carload, intermodal freight

U.S. freight carload and intermodal volume rose during the week ending March 5, 2011, measured against the comparable week in 2010, the Association of American Railroads said Thursday. Freight carload volume rose 5.5% compared with the same week last year, while intermodal rose a more modest 1.0%.

AAR said 14 of its 20 carload commodity groups posted increases from the comparable week in 2010. Those groups pacing the gainers included metallic ores, up 105.2%, motor vehicles and equipment, up 20.8%, and petroleum products, up 18.6%. Grain mill products, down 12.1%, led the declining commodity groups.

Canadian freight carload volume for the week fell 5.9% compared with its 2010 weekly counterpart, while intermodal also fell, down 3.3%. Mexico’s two major railroads said freight carload volume advanced 6.0% for the week, though intermodal declined 4.2%.

Combined North American rail volume for the first nine weeks of 2011 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads was up 4.5% measured against the comparable 2010 span, while intermodal rose 7.3% compared with last year.