The overall number of carloads moved on short line and regional railroad in 2018 was up compared to 2017. Carloads originated for 2018 were at about 4.3 million through December 31, up about 94,00 carloads, or 2.2 percent from 2017
Nonmetallic Minerals led annual gains with a 15.1 percent increase. Metals and Products were up 13.2 percent, and Chemicals and Pulp, Paper and Allied Products increased 11.1 and 10.3 percent respectively. Coal led annual declines, down 15.7 percent. Trailer or Container, Motor Vehicles and Equipment and Other carloads were also down compared to 2017.
Click here to download the Carloads by Commodity table as an Excel file.
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.