by Calculated Risk on 6/12/2023 04:47:00 PM

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

Total originated carloads on U.S. railroads rose 0.8% in May 2023 over May 2022, their third yearover-year gain in the first five months of 2023. Total carloads averaged 225,851 per week in May, down fractionally from the average for March and April.

U.S. intermodal originations in May 2023 were down 11.1% from May 2022, intermodal’s 15th straight year-over-year decline.
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 2021, 2022 and 2022:

U.S. railroads originated 1.13 million total carloads in May 2023, up 0.8% over May 2022 and the third year-over-year gain in the first five months of 2023. Total carloads averaged 225,851 per week in May, down fractionally from the average for March and April.

For 2023 through May, total U.S. carloads were 4.94 million, the most since 2019 and up 0.7% (33,332 carloads) over the same period in 2022.

The second graph shows the six-week average (not monthly) of U.S. intermodal in 2021, 2022 and 2023: (using intermodal or shipping containers):

Finally, intermodal. We don’t want to talk much about it because, while it has a very bright future, for now it’s depressing. U.S. railroads originated 1.19 million containers and trailers in May 2023, down 11.1% from May 2022. That’s intermodal’s 15th straight year-over-year decline. On the positive side, intermodal averaged 238,111 containers and trailers per week in May 2023, the most in six months. In 2023 through May, U.S. intermodal volume was 5.12 million units, down 10.9% (624,181 units) from last year and the fewest for the first five months of a year since 2013./blockquote>