Freight-rail traffic dipped a bit in Week 26

U.S. railroads logged 491,424 carloads and intermodal units in the week ending June 28, a 0.2% decrease compared with traffic levels in the same week a year ago, according to Association of American Railroads data.

The railroads hauled 225,227 carloads, up slightly, and 266,197 containers and trailers, down 0.3%.

Four of the 10 carload commodity groups that AAR tracks every week logged gains, including grain at 15.9% (to 20,980 units), motor vehicles and parts at 9% (to 17,324) and farm products excluding grain and food at 7.6% (to 17,094).

Commodity groups that posed decreases included metallic ores and metals at 12.5%, coal at 2.5% and chemicals at 3%.

Meanwhile, Canadian railroads for the week reported 89,060 carloads, down 4.9%, and 78,217 intermodal units, up 17.4%. Mexican railroads logged 15,884 carloads, up 2.9%, and 11,288 intermodal units, down 12.2%.

Through 2025's first 26 weeks on a year-over-year basis:

• U.S. railroads hauled 12,688,896 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.9%;

• Canadian railroads moved 4,238,619 carloads, containers and trailers, up 1.2%; and

• Mexican railroads registered 618,376 carloads and intermodal units, down 8.6%.