The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Thursday increased US rail traffic for November 2013 over November 2012. Intermodal traffic in November totaled 1,007,549 containers and trailers, up 7.8 percent (73,004 units) compared with November 2012. The weekly average of 251,887 intermodal containers and trailers per week in November 2013 was the highest weekly average for any November in history. Carloads originated in November 2013 totaled 1,145,353, up 1.3 percent (14,931 carloads) compared with the same month last year.
Eleven of the 20 commodity categories tracked by the AAR each month saw year-over-year carload increases in November over the same month last year. Commodities with the biggest carload increases last month included grain, up 20.6 percent or 15,685 carloads; petroleum and petroleum products, up 20.0 percent or 9,691 carloads; and motor vehicle and parts, up 10.8 percent or 6,826 carloads.
Commodity categories with carload declines last month included coal, down 4.3 percent or 20,057 carloads from November 2012, and metallic ores, down 10.1 percent or 2,982 carloads.
Excluding coal, US carloads were up 5.3 percent, or 34,988 carloads, in November 2013 compared with November 2012. Excluding coal and grain, US carloads were up 3.3 percent, or 19,303 carloads, in November.
"US rail traffic in November 2013 saw a big decline in coal carloads that was more than offset by gains in carloads of grain and petroleum products," said AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray. "Carload traffic continues to be consistent with an economy that's growing at a moderate pace. Meanwhile, rail intermodal volume was extremely strong in November, demonstrating the tremendous value that intermodal has become for rail customers."