US Rail Freight Rebound Hints at Economic Growth

US Rail Freight Rebound Hints at Economic Growth

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail freight and intermodal volumes both increased year-over-year for the week ending April 26. Rail freight volume rose by 9.0%, primarily driven by increased shipments of coal, grain, and chemicals. Intermodal volume grew by 2.6%. Year-to-date figures show a 1.5% increase in rail freight volume and an 8.0% increase in intermodal volume, suggesting a steady recovery in the rail freight market.

02/03/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Container Gains Offset Cargo Declines in September 2020

US Rail Freight Container Gains Offset Cargo Declines in September 2020

U.S. rail freight data for the first week of September 2020 shows strong container traffic, up 24.8% year-over-year. Traditional carload traffic declined by 6.9% compared to the same period last year. The decline was mainly due to decreased shipments of coal, nonmetallic minerals, and metallic ores, while grain, and motor vehicles & parts saw increases. Year-to-date figures indicate declines in both carload and container traffic, reflecting the ongoing impact of the pandemic.

02/04/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Rebounds on Auto Intermodal Growth

US Rail Freight Rebounds on Auto Intermodal Growth

Data from the Association of American Railroads indicates a recovery in total U.S. rail freight traffic for the week ending October 26th. Automobiles & parts and intermodal transportation showed strong performance, while coal shipments remained weak. In the first 43 weeks of 2024, intermodal volume increased by 8.9%, while traditional carload categories faced downward pressure. The rail freight market is undergoing structural adjustments, highlighting the shift in demand and the increasing importance of intermodal solutions.

02/04/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Gains in Carloads Dips in Intermodal

US Rail Freight Gains in Carloads Dips in Intermodal

For the week ending August 23rd, US rail freight showed mixed results: carload traffic edged up 0.6%, driven by gains in grain and automotive shipments, while petroleum and coal declined. Intermodal traffic decreased by 1.9%, impacted by highway competition and cooling consumer demand. Year-to-date figures remain positive but growth is slowing. Rail companies need to improve services, reduce costs, and expand business, embracing digital transformation to navigate the evolving landscape.

02/04/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Gains in Carloads but Loses in Intermodal

US Rail Freight Gains in Carloads but Loses in Intermodal

October 2025 US rail freight data shows a slight increase of 0.3% in carload traffic, but a 4.8% year-over-year decrease in intermodal volume. Shipments of nonmetallic minerals, metallic ores, and chemicals increased, while grain, miscellaneous, and coal shipments declined. Year-to-date, total carload traffic is up 2.0% and intermodal volume is up 3.2%. The data reflects economic structural changes and market uncertainties, requiring the rail industry to address challenges and seize opportunities.

02/04/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Declines As Economic Conditions Shift

US Rail Freight Declines As Economic Conditions Shift

U.S. rail freight and intermodal volumes decreased year-over-year, but cumulative volumes for the year remained higher. Declines were seen in carloads of commodities such as automobiles and coal. The railway industry needs to improve efficiency to address these challenges and maintain growth. While facing headwinds, the overall positive year-to-date performance suggests underlying strength in the rail freight sector despite specific commodity weaknesses and the need for operational improvements.

02/04/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Growth Mixed in September YTD Up

US Rail Freight Growth Mixed in September YTD Up

Data from the Association of American Railroads shows that for the week ending September 20th, U.S. rail carloads and intermodal traffic both decreased year-over-year, primarily due to factors such as weak coal demand. However, cumulative data for the year still indicates growth. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the key factors influencing rail freight and looks ahead to future challenges and opportunities, emphasizing the importance of focusing on long-term trends.

02/04/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Sees Mixed Carload Container Trends in November

US Rail Freight Sees Mixed Carload Container Trends in November

U.S. rail freight traffic increased by 4.3%, driven by commodities like coal. However, container traffic decreased by 6.5%. Despite this decline in container volume, the cumulative freight and container volumes for the entire year still showed growth. This indicates a mixed performance in the rail freight sector, with overall positive growth offset by a decrease in container shipping, highlighting the influence of specific commodities on overall freight volume and serving as a potential economic indicator.

02/04/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Intermodal Volumes Decline in Late September

US Rail Freight Intermodal Volumes Decline in Late September

For the week ending September 20, 2025, US rail freight volume decreased by 1.8% year-over-year, and intermodal volume decreased by 2.5%. Grain and metallic ores shipments increased, while coal, miscellaneous carloads, and nonmetallic minerals declined. Despite the recent downturn, year-to-date rail freight volume is up 2.2%, and intermodal volume is up 3.6% compared to 2024. Macroeconomic conditions, industry-specific factors, and supply chain issues can all influence rail transport volumes.

02/04/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Gains in Carloads Dips in Intermodal

US Rail Freight Gains in Carloads Dips in Intermodal

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail carload traffic increased year-over-year for the week ending January 21st, driven primarily by nonmetallic minerals, coal, and motor vehicle parts. Intermodal traffic, however, decreased compared to the same period last year. Total North American rail traffic experienced a slight decline, reflecting regional economic variations and global economic uncertainties. This data provides insights into the current state of the freight economy and its underlying trends.

01/16/2026 Logistics
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