Rail

By Staff -- Logistics Management, 4/1/1999

In February 1999, average prices charged by linehaul rail operators fell 0.4% from levels recorded the previous month. Weakness in the farming industry as well as troubles in domestic mining and chemicals manufacturing have eased demand pressures on rail rates--a situation that may not change much in the next three months. Nonetheless, hikes in rail rates--on the order of 0.7% in the second half of 1999 and 1.2% in the first quarter of 2000--are in the cards.

% CHANGE VS.: 1 month ago 6 mos. ago 1 yr. ago

Coal/Petroleum 0.0 +0.9 +0.7

Chemicals 0.0 -0.7 -0.1

Farm products +0.1 -2.6 -2.5

Motor vehicles 0.0 0.0 0.0

Metallic ores +0.1 -2.7 -4.6