North American rail traffic up 1% for the week ending September 30

The Association of American Railroads, AAR, reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending September 30, as well as volumes for September 2023. U.S. railroads originated 921,716 carloads in September up 2.3%, or 20,754 carloads, from September 2022. U.S. railroads also originated 1,008,896 containers and trailers in September 2023, up 0.7% or 7,096 units, from the same month last year. Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in September 2023 were 1,930,612, up 1.5%, or 27,850 carloads and intermodal units from September 2022. “Rail traffic, although improving, remains in uncertain territory along with the economy,” said AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray. “Intermodal had the best volume month of the year in September, showing, after three years, that “peak season” still exists although much more reserved and occurring somewhat later than past peaks. Grain shipments improved slightly from extremely low summer levels, while chemicals and petroleum products had reasonably solid months. However, a sustained boost across rail categories will require stronger overall industrial growth.” Excluding coal, carloads were up 24,766 carloads, or 4%, in September 2023 from September 2022. Excluding coal and grain, carloads were up 31,417 carloads, or 5.7%. Total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 500,154 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.8% compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending September 30 were 235,988 carloads, up 3.7% compared with the same week in 2022, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 264,166 containers and trailers, up 2% compared to 2022. North American rail volume for the week ending September 30, on 10 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 350,483 carloads, up 3.6% compared with the same week last year, and 346,771 intermodal units, down 1.5% compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 697,254 carloads and intermodal units, up 1%. Publicly traded companies in the space include CSX (CSX), Canadian National (CNI), Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP), Kansas City Southern (KSU), Norfolk Southern (NSC), Union Pacific (UNP), Trinity Industries (TRN), Greenbrier (GBX), FreightCar America (RAIL), Rail Vision (RVSN) and Wabtec (WAB).