Weekly US rail traffic shows major bump

This story originally appeared on Trains.com.

WASHINGTON — Likely because of the difference in when the Thanksgiving holiday falls this year, weekly U.S. rail traffic showed a major volume increase for the week ending Nov. 23.

Total weekly traffic was 520,798 carloads and intermodal units, a 25.6% increase over the same week last year — when Thanksgiving was on Nov. 23, the last day of the reporting week. That includes 230,036 carloads, up 17.6% from a year ago, and 290,762 containers and trailers, up 32.8%.

Through 47 weeks of 2024, carload traffic is down 2.7% compared to the same period in 2024, while intermodal volume is up 9.5%. Overall, total traffic is up 3.6%.

North American volume for the week, from nine reporting U.S, Canadian and Mexican railroads is 338,963 carloads, up 13.2% compared to last year, and 372,927 intermodal units, up 25.1%. The overall volume of 711,890 carloads and intermodal units represents a 19.1% increase. Through 47 weeks, overall North American volume is up 2.5% compared to 2023. That includes a 0.7% decline in Canadian traffic and a 2.9% gain in Mexico.

(Chart: Association of American Railroads)