US, Canada, Mexico Rail Traffic: Trends & Insights for 2024 Professionals

Introduction

In the week ending November 8, U.S. freight railroads transported a total of 493,493 carloads and intermodal units, reflecting a 4.9% decrease compared to the corresponding week in 2024. This report provides a detailed analysis of the carload and intermodal traffic data for U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads.

U.S. Rail Traffic Overview

U.S. freight railroads saw a 0.1% increase in carloads, totaling 224,651, but an 8.7% decrease in intermodal volume, with 68,842 containers and trailers.

Commodity Group Performance

Four out of the ten carload commodity groups experienced a rise in traffic. Nonmetallic minerals increased by 12.9% to 32,939 carloads. Grain saw a 3.4% rise, reaching 24,291 carloads, and miscellaneous carloads increased by 8.4% to 8,469. Conversely, motor vehicles and parts decreased by 9.4% to 13,840 carloads. Metallic ores and metals fell by 6.6% to 19,056, and coal decreased by 2.1% to 57,352.

Canadian Rail Traffic

Canadian railroads reported a 2.6% decrease in carloads, with a total of 91,232. However, intermodal units increased by 65.4%, reaching 69,344.

Mexican Rail Traffic

Mexican railroads showed a 4.2% decrease in carloads, totaling 12,112, and a 0.1% decrease in intermodal units, with 13,086.

Conclusion

In summary, the week ending November 8 saw varied performance across North American freight rail. U.S. railroads experienced a slight increase in carloads but a decrease in intermodal units, while Canadian railroads saw a decrease in carloads but an increase in intermodal traffic. Mexican railroads reported decreases in both carloads and intermodal units.