The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Thursday increased US rail traffic for October 2013.Intermodal traffic in October totaled 1,317,601 containers and trailers, up 6.8 percent (84,120 units) compared with October 2012. The weekly average of 263,520 intermodal units in October 2013 was the highest weekly average for any month in history.Carloads originated in October totaled 1,443,609, up 1.5 percent or 21,059 carloads compared with the same month last year.This represents the highest year-over-year percentage total carload increase in the last 22 months, although rail traffic in late October 2012 was impacted by Hurricane Sandy.
Excluding coal and grain, US carloads in October 2013 were up 5.6 percent, or 42,037 carloads.
"There's been some concern lately that the recovery may be running out of steam.Rail traffic data for October doesn't seem to support that," said AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray."A number of economically sensitive commodities, like lumber, autos, and chemicals, saw higher traffic volumes in October.The sharp increase in grain carloadings is a welcome change and points to the cooperative relationship railroads have established with their partners in the agricultural community."
Combined North American rail volume for the first 44 weeks of 2013 on 13 reporting US, Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 16,525,483 carloads, up 0.2 percent compared with the same point last year, and 13,680,199 trailers and containers, up 3.9 percent compared with last year.
