Intermodal continues to carry the day for the North American freight railroad industry, registering a gain of nearly 20% for the week ending Feb. 20, 2016, the third consecutive week of double-digit growth, compared to the prior-year period, and offsetting weak carload traffic—which includes a sharp drop in crude oil.
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) on Feb. 22, 2016 debuted the newest version of its Freight Rail Works campaign, “which explores how freight rail’s ongoing private investments in building, growing and maintaining the nation’s rail network ensure railroads play a unique and integral role in helping move 54 tons of freight for every American per year.”
For the week ending Feb. 13, 2016, North American freight rail traffic experienced a 10% gain in intermodal for the second week in a row, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported on Feb. 17, 2016.
For the week ending Feb. 6, 2016, North American freight rail traffic experienced a 10% gain in intermodal, and a corresponding drop in carloads, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported on Feb. 10, 2016.
In reporting rail traffic for January 2016, Association of American Railroads (AAR) Senior Vice President John T. Gray said, “”Intermodal was solid in January, but carload volumes weren’t what railroads were hoping for. By all accounts, rail service right now is excellent, but volume just isn’t there.”
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) on Jan. 27, 2016 released its first “State of the Industry Report” focusing on the key challenges, accomplishments and innovations within the freight railroad industry. This initial, five-chapter edition details the industry’s investments in new technology and innovation that are enhancing safety across the nation’s rail network.
For the week ending Jan. 16, 2016, total U.S. rail traffic was 506,433 carloads and intermodal units, down 8.2% compared with the same week in 2015, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported on Jan. 20. U.S. carloads fell nearly 17%; Canadian carloads dropped nearly 14%; North American (U.S., Canada, Mexico combined) intermodal up nearly 1%.
For the week ending Jan. 9, 2016, total U.S. rail traffic was 498,160 carloads and intermodal units, down 3.7% compared with the same week in 2015, as carload traffic dipped and intermodal grew, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported on Jan. 13.
In 2015, the Railway Supply Institute, Inc. (RSI) advocated quite heavily against keeping truck size and weight from increasing. And it was successful on both accounts. Now, according to RSI’s Nicole Brewin, Vice President of Governmental Affairs, intercity passenger rail funding outside of the appropriations process is big on the association’s 2016 agenda.
In reporting rail traffic for all of 2015, Association of American Railroads (AAR) Senior Vice President John T. Gray said, “Weaknesses in energy and manufacturing, as well as, world economic softening had a negative impact on both carload and intermodal traffic in 2015.”