U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes are mixed for weed ending November 21, reports AAR

United States rail carload and intermodal volumes were again mixed, for the week ending November 21, according to data issued this week by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Rail carloads—at 233,478—decreased 7.2% annually, topping the weeks ending November 14 and November 7, at 232,146 and 228,282, respectively.

AAR reported that three of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2019, including grain, up 2,976 carloads, to 25,187; farm products excluding grain, and food, up 1,515 carloads, to 16,890; and chemicals, up 920 carloads, to 32,721. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2019 included coal, down 12,672 carloads, to 63,032; metallic ores and metals, down 3,330 carloads, to 19,680; and nonmetallic minerals, down 3,182 carloads, to 29,888.

Intermodal containers and trailers—at 301,129 units—headed up 11.5% annually, topping the weeks ending November 14 and November 7, at 295,316 and 293,746, respectively.

Through the first 47 weeks of 2020, AAR said that U.S. carloads—at 10,174,481—are down 14% annually, and intermodal units—at 12,094,425 units—are off 3.4% annually.