Association of American Railroads

(Photograph Courtesy of Norfolk Southern)

Rail Traffic ‘Mixed Bag’ Continues in November

In reporting U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Dec. 3, 2022, and volumes for November 2022, AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray said, “As has been the case for months, some sectors continue to show strength while others face headwinds.”

Week 47: U.S. Rail Traffic Falls Below 2021, 2019 Levels

For the week ending Nov. 26, 2022 (Week 47), total U.S. rail traffic was down 4.1% compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) reported on Nov. 30. Traffic was down 21% compared with the same week in pre-pandemic 2019, according to Susquehanna Financial Group (SFG) Analyst Bascome Majors.

Norfolk Southern GoRail and Veterans Locomotives Pulling Covered Hoppers – Inman Yard; Atlanta, Ga. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of Norfolk Southern)

AAR: North American Rail Volume Down 1.9% Through 46 Weeks

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) now has 46 weeks of traffic data for 2022 (ending Nov. 19). Total North American carload and intermodal traffic dipped 1.9% from the same point last year—with decreases in the U.S. and Canada, and an increase in Mexico.

FIGURE 1. Example of traction motor components that failed from overheating. (Courtesy of MxV Rail)

MxV Rail R&D: Looking at Locomotives With LUTIS

RAILWAY AGE, NOVEMBER 2022 ISSUE: Traction Motor (TM) lockup in a locomotive can be disruptive to a railway’s operations. While modern locomotives are equipped with many onboard diagnostic sensors to provide condition feedback, high-load mechanical components such as the gear train often remain unmonitored.

CN has committed to the United Nations Global Compact initiative, which it describes as a “voluntary leadership platform for the development, implementation and disclosure of responsible business practices.” (Photograph Courtesy of CN, via Twitter)

Class I Briefs: BNSF, CN

BNSF updates customers on compliance with Carta Porte regulations for Mexico shipments. Also, CN joins the United Nations (UN) Global Compact initiative.

(Photograph Courtesy of NS)

October: ‘Top Month’ for U.S. Carloads, Intermodal Volumes ‘Subdued’

“October is usually one of the highest-volume months of the year for rail carloads, and it’s the top month so far this year,” Association of American Railroads (AAR) Senior Vice President John T. Gray reported Nov. 2. But U.S. intermodal volumes “remained subdued,” he said, “thanks largely to high inventories at many retailers, lower port volumes and still-scarce warehouse capacity for many rail intermodal customers.”

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