Freight of all kinds paced a 5% weekly gain among U.S. railroads from a year ago, according to the Association of American Railroads.
For the week ending October 3, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 529,712 carloads and intermodal units, ahead 5.1% compared with the same week in 2025.
A total of 230,711 carloads was better by 2.4% while intermodal volume was 299,001 containers and trailers, up 7.4% on 2025.
Seven of 10 carload commodity groups tracked by AAR posted increases. They were topped by metallic ores and metals, 12.8%, closely followed by petroleum and related products, 12.2%. Forest products, which has mostly struggled in a stagnant housing market, took third, up 7.5%.
Gran slipped 5.2%, while farm products excluding grain and food, 4.1%, and coal, 0.1%, were weaker y/y.
Through the first 39 weeks of 2026, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 8,910,593 carloads, a 2.7% gain, and 11,077,697 intermodal units, ahead 4.2% from the previous year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 39 weeks of 2026 was 19,988,290 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 3.5% y/y.
North American rail volume for the week on nine reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads improved by 1.6% to 335,068 carloads, and 386,372 intermodal units, up 6.9%. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 721,440 carloads and intermodal units, 4.4% better than 2025. North American rail volume for the first 39 weeks of 2026 was 27,399,651 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.1%.
Subscribe to FreightWaves’ Rail e-newsletter and get the latest insights on rail freight right in your inbox.
Read more articles by Stuart Chirls here.
Read more:
Union Pacific CEO ‘99.99%’ confident rail merger will win approval
Major chemical producer backs UP-NS merger
Another strong week for industrial rail freight
‘Higher rates, less reliable service’: Family farmers oppose rail merger
STB tabs former BNSF exec as economics director, adds senior adviser
Brokerage Compliance Symposium
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
F3 Awards Dinner
The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
F3: Future of Freight Festival
Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowThe night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now