Railinc’s Umler system is a rich industry resource that contains data on more than 2 million pieces of rail equipment and includes details such as railcar dimensions, capacities and weight, and locomotive horsepower and fuel capacity. Analysis of these data can provide powerful insights into the size and makeup of the North American railcar and locomotive fleets. Since 2010, Railinc Senior Analyst Dr. David Humphrey, right, has used Umler data…
The number of carloads moved on short line and regional railroads were unchanged compared to February 2016. Total carloads were up slightly, from 326,753 in February 2016, to 326,770 in February 2017. Nonmetallic minerals led commodity gains with a 54.8 percent increase, followed by coal, which was up 25.5 percent. Metallic ores, grain mill products, and pulp, paper and allied products experienced the greatest decline, down 68.8 percent, 14.6…
The number of carloads moved on short line and regional railroads increased compared to January 2016. Total carloads were up 9 percent, from 321,002 in January 2016 to 350,038 in January 2017.
 
Nonmetallic minerals led commodity gains with a 76.3 percent increase, followed by coal and waste and scrap materials, up 43.2 percent and 23 percent, respectively. Metallic ores were the only commodity to decrease, down 66.7 percent…
The total size of the North American rail equipment fleet decreased slightly during the fourth quarter of 2016. The total equipment count was 2,071,118, compared to 2,073,563 during the third quarter, resulting in a 0.1 percent decrease.
 
The three largest segments this quarter were covered hoppers (27 percent), tank cars (21 percent), and gondolas (12 percent).
 
Groups experiencing the largest increases from…
The number of carloads moved on short line and regional railroads held steady in December 2016 compared to the previous year. Total carloads were up less than 1 percent, from 329,043 in December 2015 to 329,890 in December 2016.
 
Grain led commodity gains with a 22 percent increase, followed by trailer or container, up 21 percent. Metallic ores and crushed stone, sand, and gravel both led declines, down 62 percent and 24…
The number of carloads moved on short line and regional railroads increased 10 percent compared to November of the previous year.  Total carloads were up from 320,572 in November 2015 to 352,463 in November 2016. Trailer or container led commodity gains with a 30 percent increase, followed by grain and petroleum products, up 20 and 18 percent, respectively. Nonmetallic minerals led declines, down 38 percent. (Click
Railinc has been recognized as the 2016 Industry-Driven Company of the Year at the NC Tech Awards, the largest and most prestigious statewide technology awards program. Given annually by the North Carolina Technology Association (…
The number of carloads moved on short line and regional railroads held steady with a less than 1 percent increase compared to October of last year. Total carloads were up from 357,806 in October 2015 to 360,212 in October 2016.
 

Metallic ores led commodity gains with a 15 percent increase, followed by grain and motor vehicles and equipment, up about 12 percent and 11 percent, respectively. Nonmetallic minerals led declines…