US Rail Freight Gains in Carloads Loses in Intermodal

US Rail Freight Gains in Carloads Loses in Intermodal

US rail freight traffic increased by 1.4% in April, driven by coal, automobiles, and chemical products. Intermodal volume decreased by 3.1%, with a cumulative decrease of 6.6% since the beginning of the year. It is necessary to pay attention to market changes and respond to challenges. The increase in rail freight suggests positive economic activity in those sectors, while the decline in intermodal volume warrants further investigation to understand the underlying causes and potential impact on the overall economy.

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

US rail carload traffic saw a slight increase in March, while intermodal volume declined. Year-to-date, carload traffic is up, but intermodal volume is down. Overall, North American rail freight experienced a downturn. This suggests a mixed performance in the rail freight sector, with traditional carload shipments showing some resilience while intermodal, often seen as a bellwether for economic activity, is weakening. The decline in North American freight indicates broader economic headwinds affecting the region's transportation industry.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Slows As Select Commodities Defy Decline

US Rail Freight Slows As Select Commodities Defy Decline

Recent data shows a year-over-year decrease in overall US rail freight and intermodal volume. However, car & parts, farm products & food, and nonmetallic minerals experienced growth. Year-to-date figures indicate a decline in intermodal volume compared to the previous year. Businesses should leverage data-driven decision-making, optimize supply chains, diversify operations, invest in technological innovation, and monitor policy changes to proactively address challenges and capitalize on opportunities in the evolving rail freight landscape.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Declines Midyear Amid Industry Shifts

US Rail Freight Declines Midyear Amid Industry Shifts

Data from the Association of American Railroads indicates a year-over-year decline in U.S. rail freight and intermodal volume for the week ending June 25th. While sectors like chemicals and agricultural products experienced growth, coal and metals saw decreases. Year-to-date freight volume is slightly down, with a more significant drop in intermodal traffic. The rail industry needs to proactively transform by improving efficiency, expanding services, and embracing digitalization to address challenges and capitalize on future opportunities.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Rises Slightly As Intermodal Declines

US Rail Freight Rises Slightly As Intermodal Declines

According to the Association of American Railroads, for the week ending August 20, U.S. rail carloads increased by 2.9% year-over-year, while intermodal volume decreased by 2.4%. Year-to-date carloads are roughly flat compared to last year, but intermodal volume is down 5.5%. Overall, North American rail freight has seen slight growth, but continues to face challenges from global economic slowdown and supply chain disruptions. Railroad companies need to innovate to address these challenges and seize opportunities.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Decline Spurs Supply Chain Concerns

US Rail Freight Decline Spurs Supply Chain Concerns

Data from the Association of American Railroads shows a year-over-year decline in U.S. rail freight and intermodal volume, although shipments of motor vehicles & parts, coal, and petroleum products increased. Businesses should diversify transportation channels, optimize inventory management, strengthen supply chain collaboration, and invest in technological innovation to mitigate potential risks and turn challenges into opportunities. This proactive approach can help companies navigate economic fluctuations and ensure supply chain resilience despite the overall decrease in rail freight volume.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Carloads Rise Intermodal Traffic Slows

US Rail Freight Carloads Rise Intermodal Traffic Slows

According to the Association of American Railroads, total U.S. rail traffic decreased year-over-year for the week ending August 19th. Carload volume saw a slight decline, but shipments of commodities like automobiles, coal, and petroleum increased. Intermodal container and trailer traffic experienced a significant drop. Cumulative data for 2023 shows a slight increase in carload volume, but intermodal continues to face pressure. The rail freight market is facing both challenges and opportunities, requiring transformation and upgrades.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Faces Mixed Demand Amid Economic Uncertainty

US Rail Freight Faces Mixed Demand Amid Economic Uncertainty

For the week ending November 8th, the US rail freight market presents a mixed picture: rail freight volume saw a slight increase, while intermodal volume declined. Year-to-date figures indicate a positive long-term trend. Businesses need to closely monitor market dynamics, optimize freight structures, improve service quality, embrace technological innovation, and seize policy opportunities to achieve sustainable development. The fluctuating intermodal data requires careful attention to understand shifting consumer preferences and supply chain adjustments.

01/21/2026 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 latest data from the Association of American Railroads (AAR), U.S. rail carloads saw a slight increase of 0.3% for the week ending October 18th, but the growth rate slowed. Intermodal volume decreased by 4.8% year-over-year. Year-to-date, total carloads and intermodal volume have increased by 2.0% and 3.2%, respectively. The report highlights both market opportunities and challenges, emphasizing the importance of adapting to market changes and providing valuable insights for business decision-making.

01/21/2026 Logistics
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Cass Freight Index Reports October Decline Amid Weak Demand Strikes

Cass Freight Index Reports October Decline Amid Weak Demand Strikes

The Cass Freight Index report reveals a 9.5% year-over-year decrease in freight volume and a 23.3% year-over-year drop in expenditures for October. Weak demand, compounded by the United Auto Workers strike, contributed to these record lows. Analysts anticipate continued downward pressure on freight volume and rates in the short term. However, the impact of the strike may create the potential for a future rebound in freight activity as production resumes and backlogs are addressed.

01/21/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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