US Rail Freight Volumes Decline in June Amid Slumping Demand

US Rail Freight Volumes Decline in June Amid Slumping Demand

US rail freight volume declined year-over-year in June, with intermodal traffic experiencing a significant drop. While some categories like chemicals saw growth, others such as coal decreased. Cumulative freight volume saw a slight decrease, while intermodal volume declined substantially, influenced by economic factors. The overall downturn reflects broader economic trends and challenges within the supply chain impacting rail transportation.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Struggles Amid Patchy Economic Recovery

US Rail Freight Struggles Amid Patchy Economic Recovery

US rail freight and intermodal volumes declined year-over-year in late August. While year-to-date freight volume saw a slight increase, intermodal volume experienced a significant decrease. Multiple factors are contributing to this trend. Addressing these challenges requires enhanced efficiency and innovative solutions within the rail freight and intermodal transportation sectors. Monitoring these volumes remains crucial as an economic indicator.

02/11/2026 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 Sees Mixed Trends Carloads Up Intermodal Down

US Rail Freight Sees Mixed Trends Carloads Up Intermodal Down

U.S. rail freight volume increased by 3.5% in May, driven by metallic ores. Intermodal transportation declined by 11.6%, leading to an overall freight volume decrease of 4.1%. The railway industry faces transformation challenges. The growth in metallic ores suggests potential strength in related industries, while the decline in intermodal transportation highlights shifts in shipping preferences or economic slowdown in certain sectors. The overall decrease in freight volume underscores the need for the railway industry to adapt to evolving market demands and explore new revenue streams.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Struggles Amid Mixed Results

US Rail Freight Struggles Amid Mixed Results

According to the Association of American Railroads, for the week ending August 19, U.S. rail freight volume decreased by 0.6% year-over-year, and intermodal volume declined by 4.6%. Categories like motor vehicles & parts, coal, and petroleum saw growth, while grains and forest products experienced declines. Year-to-date, rail freight volume shows a slight increase, but intermodal volume has significantly decreased. Businesses need to optimize operations, expand services, strengthen cooperation, and embrace digitalization and sustainable development to adapt to these trends.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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Freight Logistics Data Reveals Key Economic Trends

Freight Logistics Data Reveals Key Economic Trends

This paper delves into the discrepancies between current freight logistics and macroeconomic data, revealing the impact of shifting consumption patterns, optimized inventory management, and supply chain regionalization on freight volume. It emphasizes that focusing solely on freight volume is insufficient. A comprehensive consideration of freight structure, transportation modes, and transport distances is crucial for accurately forecasting market demand, optimizing inventory management, and adjusting production plans. This multi-dimensional approach provides a more nuanced understanding of the freight logistics landscape and its connection to broader economic trends.

01/26/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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US Rail Freight Decline Signals Economic Slowdown

US Rail Freight Decline Signals Economic Slowdown

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail freight and intermodal volume decreased year-over-year for the week ending August 5th. While cumulative freight volume year-to-date saw a slight increase, intermodal volume experienced a significant decline. Performance varied across different commodity categories, reflecting the complexity of the economic structure. This data should be analyzed in conjunction with other economic indicators for a comprehensive understanding.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Slump Signals Economic Worries

US Rail Freight Slump Signals Economic Worries

Data from the Association of American Railroads shows that for the week ending May 21st, both U.S. rail freight volume and intermodal traffic decreased year-over-year. Among specific categories, coal and petroleum shipments saw significant declines, with only a few categories like miscellaneous carloads experiencing growth. Cumulative data for the first 20 weeks of the year also indicates a substantial decrease in freight volume. As a leading economic indicator, this decline in rail freight volume suggests potential risks to the U.S. economy, requiring close monitoring and proactive measures.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Slumps Auto Shipments Rise Amid Decline

US Rail Freight Slumps Auto Shipments Rise Amid Decline

Data from the Association of American Railroads shows a decline in both U.S. rail freight and intermodal traffic for the week ending December 12th, signaling potential economic headwinds. While shipments of motor vehicles and parts provided a bright spot, overall freight volume decreased. Year-to-date figures reveal a decline in total carloads and a slower growth rate in intermodal volume. Rail freight volume is often considered an economic indicator, suggesting the industry faces both challenges and opportunities in the future. The overall trend indicates a cautious outlook for the economy.

02/12/2026 Logistics
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