US Rail Freight Sees Mixed Results Carloads Up Intermodal Down

US Rail Freight Sees Mixed Results Carloads Up Intermodal Down

According to the Association of American Railroads, for the week ending May 13th, U.S. rail freight showed a mixed performance. Carload traffic saw a slight increase of 0.9%, while intermodal traffic experienced a significant decline of 11.5%. Year-to-date figures reveal a 10.9% decrease in intermodal volume, negatively impacting overall freight volume. Businesses need to adapt to market changes, optimize supply chains, and proactively address these challenges. The decline in intermodal points to potential shifts in consumer demand and inventory management strategies.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Declines in Carloads but Rises in Intermodal

US Rail Freight Declines in Carloads but Rises in Intermodal

According to the latest data from the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail freight carloads decreased by 5.2% year-over-year in the first week of November, while intermodal volume increased by 1.5%. Year-to-date, carload volume is roughly flat, and intermodal volume is down 7%. Factors such as the macroeconomy, energy transition, and supply chain adjustments are impacting rail freight. Businesses need to pay attention to these trends, flexibly adjust their strategies, and seize opportunities to address challenges.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Declines in May Coal Shipments Drop Sharply

US Rail Freight Declines in May Coal Shipments Drop Sharply

Data from the Association of American Railroads indicates a decline in both carload and intermodal traffic for U.S. railroads in late May. Carload traffic decreased by 10.6% year-over-year, while intermodal traffic fell by 6.5%. Coal and petroleum products experienced significant drops, while miscellaneous carloads, nonmetallic minerals, and motor vehicles & parts saw increases. Year-to-date, both cumulative carload and intermodal volumes are below last year's levels, reflecting the impact of factors such as energy transition, economic fluctuations, and supply chain challenges.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Gains in Carloads Loses in Intermodal

US Rail Freight Gains in Carloads Loses in Intermodal

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail carload traffic increased by 2.8% year-over-year for the week ending March 5th, driven primarily by chemicals, minerals, and coal. However, intermodal traffic decreased by 5.8% year-over-year, potentially indicating weak consumer demand. Year-to-date figures show a similar trend. Overall, North American rail freight is facing pressure. Rail freight data reflects the economic pulse, and investors can pay attention to rail operators, equipment suppliers, logistics service providers, and related industries.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Volume Rebounds in February

US Rail Freight Volume Rebounds in February

Data from the Association of American Railroads shows a significant increase in U.S. rail freight for the third week of February. Carloads rose by 38.2% year-over-year, and intermodal traffic increased by 26.3%. The across-the-board rise in commodity shipments reflects economic recovery. While North American rail freight is generally positive, year-to-date cumulative figures still need improvement. The growth in rail freight volume suggests economic expansion, but potential supply chain issues and inflation risks should be monitored.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Rebounds Pointing to Economic Recovery

US Rail Freight Rebounds Pointing to Economic Recovery

Data from the Association of American Railroads reveals a significant increase in U.S. rail freight and intermodal volume for the week ending February 19th. All ten commodity categories experienced growth, signaling a potential economic recovery. Year-to-date figures show an increase in rail freight volume, but a decrease in intermodal. North American rail freight volume also demonstrates growth. These rail freight data reflect gradual improvements in industrial production, consumer demand, and supply chains. However, the industry faces both challenges and opportunities.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Mixed As Carload Rises Offset Intermodal Drop

US Rail Freight Mixed As Carload Rises Offset Intermodal Drop

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail carload traffic increased by 1.1% for the week ending March 19th, while intermodal volume decreased by 5.7% year-over-year. Year-to-date, cumulative carload traffic is up 3%, but intermodal volume is down 7.1%. The overall trend in North American rail freight indicates a decline, highlighting supply chain challenges and regional interconnections. This divergence between carload and intermodal performance suggests shifts in freight patterns and potential bottlenecks within the broader logistics network.

02/11/2026 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

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail carload traffic edged up 0.5% for the week ending March 26th, while intermodal container volume decreased by 6.2% year-over-year. Year-to-date figures show a similar trend, reflecting ongoing supply chain challenges and industry transformation. Logistics companies need to strengthen collaboration, optimize networks, adopt technology, and focus on environmental sustainability to seize opportunities amidst these changes. This requires a proactive and adaptive approach to navigate the evolving freight landscape.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Mixed Carloads Rise Intermodal Falls

US Rail Freight Mixed Carloads Rise Intermodal Falls

The US rail freight market is showing a diverging trend: carload traffic is slightly increasing, while intermodal volume continues to decline. Coal and grain shipments are driving the growth in carload traffic, but slowing consumer demand and supply chain bottlenecks are contributing to the decrease in intermodal volume. Year-to-date data indicates that the decline in intermodal transportation is a long-term trend. Rail freight data reflects structural changes in the economy and provides valuable reference for business and government decision-making.

02/11/2026 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, for the week ending August 20th, U.S. rail carload traffic increased year-over-year, while intermodal volume decreased. Year-to-date figures present a mixed picture, indicating overall pressure on the North American rail freight market. Moving forward, the rail industry needs to accelerate reforms, improve efficiency, and embrace green development to address challenges and achieve sustainable growth. The market faces headwinds, requiring adaptation and innovation to maintain competitiveness and capitalize on future opportunities.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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