U.S. rail traffic up 7.8% as intermodal leads gainers

U.S. rail traffic increased 7.8% in the week ended Oct. 24 compared with the same week in 2025, as growth in intermodal shipments outpaced gains in carloads, Association of American Railroads data shows.

Weekly intermodal volume, which includes containers and trailers, rose 11.3%, while carload traffic increased 3.6%. Both measures grew faster than their respective year-to-date rates.

Eight of the 10 carload commodity groups recorded year-over-year increases. Petroleum and petroleum products led percentage growth, rising 15.4%, followed by motor vehicles and parts at 15.3%. Forest products increased 11.7%, and metallic ores and metals gained 11.6%.

Farm products excluding grain, and food fell 3.7%, while grain posted a rare decline at 1.4%.

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