AAR reports U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes see declines to begin 2020

United States rail carload and intermodal volumes began 2020 where 2019 left off—on a decline—according to data issued this week by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

For the week ending January 4, U.S. rail carloads, at 215,564, slipped 2.8% annually.

AAR reported that three of the ten carload commodity groups it tracks saw annual gains, including: were chemicals, up 1,093 carloads, to 31,006; petroleum and petroleum products, up 997 carloads, to 13,063; and miscellaneous carloads, up 282 carloads, to 7,543. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2019 included nonmetallic minerals, down 2,836 carloads, to 22,803; motor vehicles and parts, down 2,210 carloads, to 7,004; and coal, down 1,103 carloads, to 69,757.

This topped the week ending December 28, at 191,590, which was likely impacted by the Christmas holiday, and trailed the week ending December 21, at 245,048.

Intermodal containers and trailers, at 198,450, fell 7.4% annually, which was ahead of the week ending December 28, at 182,138 and behind the week ending December 21, at 262,541.