The number of carloads moved on short line and regional railroads in May 2017 was higher compared to May 2016. Total carloads were up 12.5 percent, from 327,971 in May 2016, to 369,120 in May 2017.
Gains were led by coal, up 54.7 percent over May 2016. Grain increased by 35.7 percent and crushed stone, sand and gravel carloads by 28.4 percent. Motor vehicles and equipment experienced the greatest decline, down 8.4 percent. (Click here to download the carloads by commodity file as an Excel table).
Total carloads for 2017 are at 1.76 million through May 31, up about 113,000, or 7 percent, from 2016.
Railinc publishes this information as a service to the rail industry. The Railinc Short Line and Regional Traffic Index can also be found monthly in Railway Age Magazine. For questions or comments, please contact the Railinc Corporate Communications department.