by Calculated Risk on 5/07/2024 11:01:00 AM

From the Association of American Railroads (AAR) Rail Time Indicators. Graphs and excerpts reprinted with permission.

Total originated U.S. carloads averaged 212,221 per week in April 2024, down 6.5% from April 2023 and the second lowest weekly average for April in our records that go back to 1988. (April 2020 was lower.) Total carloads fell year over year each of the first four months of 2024. Year-to-date total carloads through April were down 4.8% and, at 3.62 million, were the lowest for any year in our records.

The main reason is coal. ...

U.S. railroads also originated 1.02 million intermodal containers and trailers in April 2024, up 8.6% over April 2023 — intermodal’s eighth straight year-over-year gain. (Intermodal is not included in carloads.)
emphasis added

Click on graph for larger image.

This graph from the Rail Time Indicators report shows the six-week average of U.S. Carloads in 2022, 2023 and 2024:

Total originated U.S. carloads in April 2024 were 848,882, down 6.5% (58,751 carloads) from April 2023. The weekly average in April 2024 was 212,221 carloads per week, the second lowest for April in our records that go back to 1988. (April 2020, when the pandemic was just starting, was lower.) Year-to-date total carloads through April were 3.62 million, down 4.8% (180,839 carloads) from last year. Total carloads fell year-over-year each of the first four months of 2024.

It’s a broken record at this point, but blame coal. In April 2024, coal averaged 46,303 carloads per week, down 28.0% from April 2023 — the fourth straight double-digit percentage decline.

The second graph shows the six-week average (not monthly) of U.S. intermodal in 2022, 2023 and 2024: (using intermodal or shipping containers):

U.S. railroads originated 1.02 million intermodal containers and trailers in April 2024, up 8.6% (80,471 units) over April 2023 — intermodal’s eighth straight gain. In April 2024, intermodal averaged 254,642 units per week. April’s average from 2015 to 2023 was 257,701, slightly higher than April 2024. Last year wasn’t a good year for intermodal — it was the lowest since 2013 — and the gains this year have essentially returned intermodal volume back to normal.