U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes are mixed, for the week ending September 4, reports AAR

United States rail carload and intermodal volumes, for the week ending September 4, were mixed, according to data issued this week by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Rail carloads—at 228,203—saw a 2.6% annual gain, trailing the week ending August 28, at 234,661, and the week ending August 21, at 230,754.

AAR reported that seven of the 10 carload commodity groups it tracks saw annual gains, including: included coal, up 5,824 carloads, to 66,950; metallic ores and metals, up 5,151 carloads, to 22,768; and nonmetallic minerals, up 2,680 carloads, to 32,281. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2020 were grain, down 6,211 carloads, to 16,711; motor vehicles and parts, down 3,866 carloads, to 12,421; and farm products excl. grain, and food, down 5 carloads, to 15,342.

Intermodal containers and trailers—at 266,212—fell 7.3% annually, trailing the week ending August 28, at 269,756, and the week ending August 21, at 270,519.

Through the first 35 weeks of 2021, AAR reported that U.S. rail carloads—at 8,070,160—are up 8.3% annually. And intermodal units—at 9,749,793—are up 12.1%.