US Rail Traffic Declines 15.5% For Week Ended Jan 31

U.S. freight railroads reported a significant volume decline for the week ending January 31, 2026, hauling a combined 434,361 carloads and intermodal units. The figure represents a 15.5% decrease compared to the corresponding week in 2025, according to data from the Association of American Railroads (AAR). The sharp downturn is attributed to a severe winter storm that disrupted rail operations across large parts of the country.

The traffic decline was evident across both major segments. Weekly carloads totaled 191,188, a 14% year-over-year drop. Intermodal volume, consisting of containers and trailers, fell to 243,173 units. A discrepancy exists in the reported intermodal decline; the primary AAR source states a 16.6% decrease, while verification data points to a slightly larger 17.5% contraction.

An analysis of the 10 carload commodity groups tracked by the AAR reveals a widespread downturn. Grain was the sole commodity to post a gain, increasing 2.9% to 22,655 carloads. Major decreases were recorded in key industrial sectors, including coal, which fell 16.5% to 50,189 carloads. Nonmetallic minerals experienced the steepest drop, plummeting 29.8% to 18,702 carloads, while motor vehicles and parts were down 27.9% to 11,311 carloads.

Performance across North American railroads was mixed. Canadian railroads reported 87,405 carloads for the week, down 3.1%, and 60,594 intermodal units, a 15% decrease. In contrast, Mexican railroads demonstrated strong growth, posting 13,472 carloads, up 4%, and 14,828 intermodal units, a substantial 25.9% increase over the same week in 2025.

The AAR’s “Rail Industry Overview” for January characterized the month as having mixed results, suggesting U.S. rail volumes had shown resilience prior to the weather disruption. Full comparative data for the first four weeks of 2026 was referenced by the AAR but specific figures were not provided in the weekly report.