The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported that US rail carloads originating in May totaled 1.4 million, down 40,405 carloads or 2.8 percent compared with May 2011. Intermodal volume in May 2012 was 1.8 million trailers and containers, up 3.5 percent year-on-year. The May 2012 weekly intermodal average of 235,662 trailers and containers is the highest May average in history.
Thirteen of the 20 commodity categories tracked by the AAR saw carload gains in May 2012 compared with May 2011, including: motor vehicles, up 17,066 cars or 27.7 percent; petroleum and petroleum products, up 16,460 carloads, or 49.2 percent; and primary metal products, up 2,260 carloads, or 4.3 percent. Commodities with carload declines in May were led by coal, down 74,469 carloads, or 12.1 percent compared with May 2011.