Total originated U.S. carloads averaged 212,221 per week in April 2024, down 6.5% from April 2023
and the second lowest weekly average for April in our records that go back to 1988. (April 2020 was
lower.) Total carloads fell year over year each of the first four months of 2024. Year-to-date total
carloads through April were down 4.8% and, at 3.62 million, were the lowest for any year in our records.
The main reason is coal. …U.S. railroads also originated 1.02 million intermodal containers and trailers in April 2024, up 8.6%
over April 2023 — intermodal’s eighth straight year-over-year gain. (Intermodal is not included in
carloads.)
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 2022, 2023 and 2024:
Total originated U.S. carloads in April 2024 were
848,882, down 6.5% (58,751 carloads) from April 2023. The
weekly average in April 2024 was 212,221 carloads per
week, the second lowest for April in our records that go
back to 1988. (April 2020, when the pandemic was just
starting, was lower.) Year-to-date total carloads through
April were 3.62 million, down 4.8% (180,839 carloads) from
last year. Total carloads fell year-over-year each of the
first four months of 2024.It’s a broken record at this point, but blame coal.
In April 2024, coal averaged 46,303 carloads per week,
down 28.0% from April 2023 — the fourth straight double-digit percentage decline.
The second graph shows the six-week average (not monthly) of U.S. intermodal in 2022, 2023 and 2024: (using intermodal or shipping containers):
U.S. railroads originated 1.02 million intermodal
containers and trailers in April 2024, up 8.6% (80,471 units)
over April 2023 — intermodal’s eighth straight gain. In
April 2024, intermodal averaged 254,642 units per week.
April’s average from 2015 to 2023 was 257,701, slightly
higher than April 2024. Last year wasn’t a good year for
intermodal — it was the lowest since 2013 — and the gains
this year have essentially returned intermodal volume
back to normal.