The Association of American Railroads (AAR) released U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes for the week ending December 15. Carload volume came in at 224,620, down 1.7% year-over-year. The figure trailed the 228,823 reported on December 6 and topped the 197,955 of November 29, which carried Thanksgiving timing effects.
Three of the 10 commodity groups posted annual gains: miscellaneous carloads +764 to 9,514, metallic ores and metals +501 to 19,269 and coal +345 to 61,733. On the downside, nonmetallic minerals fell -1,919 to 27,814, grain -1,321 to 22,944 and chemicals -858 to 32,013.
Weekly intermodal containers and trailers volume reached 294,284 units, down 1.2% year-over-year, but topped the 280,176 of December 6 and 234,860 of November 29. End-of-season traffic points to month-on-month recovery.
Through the first 50 weeks of 2025, U.S. rail carloads hit 11,113,752 and intermodal units reached 13,571,515, both up 1.7-1.8% year-over-year. The annual picture is healthier while the weekly data reflects the operational volatility of the holiday window.
Key Takeaways:
1. AAR carload volume hit 224,620 in the week ending December 15, down 1.7% year-over-year.
2. Three of 10 commodity groups posted annual gains: misc, metallic ores and coal.
3. Nonmetallic minerals, grain and chemicals posted the steepest annual declines.
4. Weekly intermodal volume reached 294,284 units, down 1.2% year-over-year.
5. Through the first 50 weeks of 2025, carload and intermodal volumes are up 1.7-1.8% year-over-year.
