by Calculated Risk on 2/03/2023 04:17:00 PM
From the Association of American Railroads (AAR) Rail Time Indicators. Graphs and excerpts reprinted with permission.
On the encouraging side, total U.S. carloads rose 2.2% in January 2023. January 2022 was the
worst January for total carloads in our records that begin in 1988. Still, growth is better than a decline.
…
On the discouraging side, January 2023 was the worst January for intermodal since 2013, with
originations down 8.1% from last year. In recent months, major retailers have cut inventories; consumer
spending — especially on goods — has contracted; and truck rates have fallen.
emphasis added
Click on graph for larger image.
This graph from the Rail Time Indicators report shows the six-week average of U.S. Carloads in 2021, 2022 and 2022:
2.2%, or 19,827 carloads, in January 2023 over January
2022. The bad news is January 2022 was the worst
January for total carloads in our records that go back to
1988, so a 2.2% increase — while certainly better than
some alternatives — is less impressive than it could be.
The second graph shows the six-week average (not monthly) of U.S. intermodal in 2021, 2022 and 2023: (using intermodal or shipping containers):
containers and trailers in January 2023, down 8.1%, or
81,443 units, from January 2022. Intermodal volume
averaged 229,982 units per week in January 2023, the
fewest for January since 2013. January 2023 was the first
time since March 2017 that the number of originated
carloads exceeded the number of originated intermodal
units on U.S. railroads.
