AAR: U.S. Carloads, Intermodal Up Slightly for Week 30
U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 26, 2025 (Week 30) came in at 514,279 carloads and intermodal units, rising 1.1% from the same week last year, based on 231,029 carloads—up
AAR
FRA Regulatory Roundup
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has withdrawn the direct final rule concerning accident/incident investigations and published guidance on agency-funded railroad capital projects, according to the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA).
AAR: North American Rail Volume Up Through Week 29
North American carload and intermodal traffic for the first 29 weeks of 2025 (ending July 19) was up 2.9% from the prior-year period, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) latest rail traffic report. While the United States and Canada both saw gains, Mexico experienced a loss.
Railroad Cost of Capital Set at 10.68% for 2024
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has determined that the cost of capital for the railroad industry, which is calculated each year, was 10.68% for 2024.
AAR: North American Rail Volume Up Through Week 28
North American carload and intermodal traffic for the first 28 weeks of 2025 (ending July 12) was up 2.9% from the prior-year period, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) latest rail traffic report. While the United States and Canada both saw gains, Mexico experienced a loss.
Commentary
Unlocking the Next Era of Rail Innovation Requires a Modern Policy Framework
As Innovation Week comes to a close, few sectors better illustrate the quiet power of American ingenuity than freight rail—where century-old infrastructure is being reimagined with cutting-edge technology to move goods more safely, efficiently, and sustainably than ever before.
CISA Issues EoT, HoT Device Advisory
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released an Industrial Control Systems (ICS) advisory regarding End-of-Train (EoT) and Head-of-Train (HoT) devices.
AAR: U.S. Rail Traffic Up for Week 27
Total U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 5, 2025 (Week 27) was up 5.0% from the prior-year period, with gains in both carloads and intermodal volume, according to the Association of American Railroad’s (AAR) latest report.
Class I Briefs: BNSF, UP, CN
BNSF recognizes five states for excellence in grade crossing safety. Also, Union Pacific’s (UP) Bailey Yard hosts senior leaders for a field visit; and CN partners with the Société du chemin de fer de la Gaspésie (SCFG) to ensure continued affordability and mobility of rail service in Quebec.
U.S. Rail Traffic Falls Slightly in Week 26
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) in reporting freight rail traffic for the week ending June 28, 2025 (Week 26), noted that total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 491,424 carloads and intermodal units, down 0.2% from the prior-year period.