Industrial output help U.S. railroads steel themselves against increasing demand and show some mettle amid uncertain economic conditions.
For the week ending Oct. 17, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 540,135 carloads and intermodal units, up 8.5% from the same week a year ago, according to the Association of American Railroads.
Carloads totaled 232,120 units, up 3.5%, and intermodal volume of 308,015 containers and trailers was 12.6% better y/y.
Nine of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2025.
(Chart: AAR)
Metallic ores and metals used in steelmaking and other production led all gainers, up 14.5%. Domestic raw-steel production increased 4.1% from the previous week, the latest American Iron and Steel Institute figures show. Petroleum and related products improved 8.8%, and grain was ahead 7%.
Nonmetallic minerals such as sand and stone was the only category to retreat, down 3.2% y/y.
For the first 41 weeks of 2026, U.S. railroads posted cumulative volume of 9,374,717 carloads, an increase of 2.7%, and 11,687,964 intermodal units, up 4.6% from 2025. Total combined traffic for the first 41 weeks of 2026 was 21,062,681 carloads and intermodal units, an improvement of 3.7% y/y.
North American rail volume for the week on nine reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 339,034 carloads, a gain of 3.2%, and 392,681 intermodal units, up 10.8% y/y. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 731,715 carloads and intermodal units, up 7.2%. North American rail volume for the first 41 weeks of 2026 was 28,828,693 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.2% compared with 2025.
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Read more articles by Stuart Chirls here.
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