AAR

(BNSF Photograph)

AAR: U.S. Rail Traffic Climb Continues in Week 13

U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 29, 2025 (Week 13) came in at 513,553 carloads and intermodal units, up 8.6% from the same point last year, based on 235,865 carloads—up 7.8% from 2024—and intermodal volume of 277,688 containers and trailers—up 9.4%, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported April 2.

(Photograph of Port of Vancouver, Courtesy of CN)

AAR: North American Rail Volume Up Through Week 12

For the first 12 weeks of 2025, ending March 22, North American carload and intermodal traffic was up 2.6% from the same point last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported March 26. The United States saw a gain, while Canada and Mexico experienced losses.

STB Sets 2Q25 Rail Cost Adjustment Factor

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has adopted for second-quarter 2025 the rail cost adjustment factor (RCAF), which is defined as “an index formulated to represent changes in railroad costs incurred by the nation’s largest railroads over a specified period of time.”

AAR: U.S. Carloads, Intermodal Up for Week 11

U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 15, 2025 (Week 11), came in at 503,473 carloads and intermodal units, rising 6.2% from the same week last year, based on 226,027 carloads—up 3.1% from 2024—and intermodal volume of 277,446 containers and trailers—up 8.8%, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported March 19.

(Union Pacific Photograph)

AAR: U.S. Carloads, Intermodal Up for Week 10

U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 8, 2025 (Week 10), came in at 497,412 carloads and intermodal units, rising 5.4% from the same week last year, based on 219,457 carloads—up 2.6% from 2024—and intermodal volume of 277,955 containers and trailers—up 7.7%, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported March 12.

New FRA Data Confirms Rail Safety Progress

Newly released 2024 data from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) confirms that “continued investment in innovation, infrastructure, and workforce expertise are making rail transportation even safer,” the Association of American Railroads (AAR)

(Union Pacific Photograph)

AAR: North American Rail Volume Up Through Week 9

For the first nine weeks of the year, ending March 1, 2025, North American carload and intermodal traffic increased 2.3% from the prior-year period, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported March 5. The United States saw a gain, while Canada and Mexico experienced losses.

Union Pacific last fall reported utilizing technology and enhancing security to protect its customers’ cargo, its property, and its employees. (UP Photograph)

AAR: Cargo Theft on the Rise

Cargo theft cost Class I railroads more than $100 million in 2024, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR), which is calling for government support to combat it.