United States rail carloads, for the week ending August 30, saw annual gains, according to data issued this week by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).
Rail carloads, at 234,740, eked out a 0.6% annual gain, topping the weeks ending August 23 and August 16, at 229,783, and 228,884, respectively.
AAR reported that five of the 10 carload commodity groups it tracks saw annual gains, including: chemicals, up 1,618 carloads, to 34,960; metallic ores and metals, up 762 carloads, to 22,362; and nonmetallic minerals, up 446 carloads, to 32,602. Commodity groups posting annual declines included: petroleum and petroleum products, down 878 carloads, to 10,559; grain, down 741 carloads, to 19,766; and forest products, down 288 carloads, to 8,236.
Intermodal containers and trailers, at 286,762 units, headed up 1.2% annually, topping the weeks ending August 23 and August 16, at 282,500, and 284,066, respectively.
Through the first 35 weeks of 2025, AAR reported that U.S. rail carloads, art 7,749,143, are up 2.5%, and intermodal units, at 9,471,467m are up 4.1% annually.
