Intermodal leads U.S. rail traffic up 6.6% from a year ago
U.S. rail traffic advanced as strong intermodal growth outweighed some carload declines.
Rail traffic among U.S. carriers rose 6.6% in the week ending Nov. 7 compared with the same week a year ago, driven by an 11% increase in intermodal shipments, the Association of American Railroads said.
Carloads increased 1.3% from a year earlier. Seven of the 10 commodity groups recorded gains, led by motor vehicles and parts, up 10.4%, and forest products, up 10.1%. Metallic ores and metals followed with a 6.4% increase.
Grain shipments declined 2.4%, nonmetallic minerals fell 1.7%, and coal slipped 1.2% among weaker volumes.
Through the first 44 weeks of 2026, total U.S. rail traffic increased 3.9% compared with the same period in 2025. Intermodal volume rose 4.9%, carloads increased 2.7%.
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