by Calculated Risk on 11/05/2011 05:06:00 PM

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports carload traffic in October increased 1.7 percent compared with the same month last year, and intermodal traffic (using intermodal or shipping containers) increased 3.6 percent compared with October 2010. On a seasonally adjusted basis, carloads in October were up 0.5% from last month, and intermodal in October was up 0.8% from September.

U.S. freight railroads originated 1,215,627 carloads in October 2011, an average of 303,907 per week, up 1.7% over October 2010, and the highest average of any month since October 2008. It’s also the biggest year-over-year percentage increase since March 2011.

Click on graph for larger image.

This graph shows U.S. average weekly rail carloads (NSA).

Rail carload traffic collapsed in November 2008, and now, over 2 years into the recovery, carload traffic is about half way back.

The second graph is for intermodal traffic (using intermodal or shipping containers):

On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, U.S. rail intermodal originations averaged 243,892 trailers and containers per week in October 2011, up 3.6% over October 2010. That’s the highest weekly average for any month since October 2006 and the sixth highest weekly average of any month in history.

October is almost always the top month for intermodal traffic because it’s when retailers do the bulk of their stocking up for the holidays.
excerpts with permission

Rail traffic improved in October, but this is still sluggish growth.

Earlier:
• Schedule for Week of Nov 6th
• Summary for Week Ending Nov 4th