American Association of Railroads

US weekly rail volume falls compared to 2024

United States rail traffic fell below year-ago levels for the week ending Feb. 22, halting a string of three weeks of traffic gains.

According to statistics from the Association of American Railroads, total volume was 458,514 carloads and intermodal units, down 5.1% from the same week a year ago. That included 193,252 carloads, a 13.6% decrease, and 265,261 containers and trailers, up 2.3%.

The last time 2025 traffic was below 2024 levels was the week ending Jan. 25, off 2.5%.

All but one carload...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/us-weekly-rail-volume-falls-compared-to-2024

Servicio local sigue siendo un punto de conflicto para los ferrocarriles de clase I

En el primer trimestre de 2025, los ferrocarriles de Clase I en América del Norte están demostrando hasta ahora niveles variados de rendimiento del servicio, según nuevas métricas ordenadas por la Junta de Transporte de Surface. El STB ahora requiere que los ferrocarriles de carga importantes...

https://fullavantenews.com/servicio-local-sigue-siendo-un-punto-de-conflicto-para-los-ferrocarriles-de-clase-i/?lang=es

Local service still a sticking point for Class I railroads

In the first quarter of 2025, Class I railroads in North America are so far demonstrating varied levels of service performance, according to new metrics mandated by the Surface Transportation Board. The STB now requires major freight railroads to report additional data on on-time percentages, train speeds and terminal dwell times in an effort to increase transparency and accountability.

The new STB metrics, which began being collected in September 2024, establish baseline standards for on-time...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/local-service-still-a-sticking-point-for-class-i-railroads

Intermodal volume still outperforming

Intermodal’s long peak continues, as volumes are still outpacing January 2024.

The rail intermodal market rocketed forward in the third week of January, recording remarkable year-over-year volume growth of 27% which was helped by easier year-over-year comparisons during a typical period of seasonal softness. That softness hasn’t manifested this year, as intermodal volume growth continues to be driven by high Chinese exports, a robust U.S. consumer and shippers building up inventory in...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/intermodal-volume-still-outperforming

Fuchs to lead Surface Transportation Board

Republican Patrick J. Fuchs on Monday was designated by President Donald Trump as chairman of the five-member Surface Transportation Board.

The 36-year-old Fuchs succeeds Democrat Robert E. Primus, who was designated chairman by President Joe Biden in May 2024 following the retirement of Martin J. Oberman, also a Democrat. Primus will remain a board member through the expiration of his second term Dec. 31, 2027.

Fuchs was confirmed to his second five-year term on the board in May 2024. Prior to...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fuchs-to-lead-surface-transportation-board

AAR sees ‘uncertainty’ for US railroads in 2025

The first word in the Association of American Railroad’s annual Rail Industry Outlook is “uncertainty,” as a slew of economic and policy issues weigh on the business in 2025.

To further temper optimism, the report says that uncertainty is more pronounced amid cyclical factors and expectations for policy changes in the year ahead.

“Potential shifts in fiscal policy, trade, immigration, taxation and regulatory frameworks — alongside evolving monetary policy from the Federal Reserve — are...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/aar-sees-uncertainty-for-us-railroads-in-2025

Record rail intermodal, consumer spending signal positive outlook, says AAR

November rail traffic is signaling a positive outlook for the broader economy heading into 2025.

Resilient consumer spending helped intermodal continue to lead all categories in November and year to date, according to the Association of American Railroads’ Freight Rail Index (FRI) released Monday.

Continued strong consumer demand and port activity fueled record intermodal results in November, for three of the top five weeks since AAR started collecting data in 1988. The trade group credited a...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/record-rail-intermodal-consumer-spending-signal-positive-outlook-says-aar

CBP halts freight rail operations at 2 Texas ports of entry

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Monday suspended freight rail operations at three border...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/cbp-halts-freight-rail-operations-at-2-texas-ports-of-entry

Association of American Railroads weighs in on climate policy

The AAR released policy proposals addressing climate change.

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) published a white paper with policy proposals that address climate change Monday, focusing on collaboration, technology, reducing emissions and simplifying processes. 

Railroads move about 40% of U.S. long-distance freight volume, according to the paper, which is more than any other mode of transportation. Despite high volumes, the Environmental Protection Agency estimated that rail only contributes to 2.1% of U.S. transportation-related greenhouse gas...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/association-of-american-railroads-weighs-in-on-climate-policy