The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reported mixed trends in US rail traffic for July 2024, with carload shipments experiencing a slight decrease while intermodal traffic showed a significant increase. Overall, combined rail traffic experienced a modest rise.
In July 2024, US railroads originated 1,073,191 carloads, marking a 2.1 percent decline from July 2023. However, intermodal traffic surged, with US railroads seeing an 8.4 percent increase in the originations of containers and trailers, reaching 1,319,818 units. The combined originations for carloads and intermodal units in July 2024 reached 2,393,009, representing a 3.4 percent rise compared to the same period in 2023.
Analyzing the carload commodity categories tracked by the AAR, 12 out of 20 experienced an increase in July 2024. Notable gains were observed in grain (up 26.5 percent), chemicals (up 3.1 percent), and petroleum & petroleum products (up 8.5 percent). Conversely, declines were observed in coal (down 11.0 percent), crushed stone, sand & gravel (down 10.6 percent), and motor vehicles & parts (down 9.1 percent).
For the first seven months of 2024, total US carload traffic stood at 6,642,565 carloads, marking a 4.1 percent decline from the same period in the previous year. However, intermodal units saw a significant increase of 8.6 percent, reaching 7,962,928 containers and trailers. The total combined US rail traffic for the first 31 weeks of 2024 reached 14,605,493 carloads and intermodal units, reflecting a 2.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
The week ending August 3, 2024, saw a notable surge in overall rail traffic. US rail traffic totaled 498,807 carloads and intermodal units, representing a 5.7 percent increase from the same week in 2023. Carloads reached 219,568, a 1.2 percent decrease compared to the same week last year. Meanwhile, intermodal volume increased significantly by 11.8 percent, with 279,239 containers and trailers.
North American rail traffic for the week ending August 3, 2024, across 10 U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads, totaled 322,520 carloads, a decrease of 1.2 percent compared to the same week in the previous year. However, intermodal units rose by 6.1 percent, reaching 351,513. The combined weekly rail traffic in North America amounted to 674,033 carloads and intermodal units, marking a 2.5 percent rise. For the first 31 weeks of 2024, North American rail volume reached 20,471,828 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.3 percent from the same period in 2023.
Canadian railroads reported 90,465 carloads for the week, up 1.6 percent. However, intermodal units decreased by 10.6 percent, totaling 64,067 units, compared to the same week in 2023. Cumulative rail traffic on Canadian railroads for the first 31 weeks of 2024 reached 4,958,371 carloads, containers, and trailers, reflecting a 1.5 percent increase.
Mexican railroads reported 12,487 carloads for the week, a 17.3 percent decrease compared to the same week last year. Intermodal units also declined by 15.8 percent, reaching 8,207. The cumulative volume for Mexican railroads during the first 31 weeks of 2024 was 907,964 carloads and intermodal units, showing a 4.2 percent increase from the previous year.
