Rail

By Staff -- Logistics Management, 11/1/1999

Average rates for rail transportation rose 0.5% in September, the largest single-month gain since January 1998. Passenger rail rates rose fastest, but non-intermodal freight rates ran a close second, up 0.4%. Now that third-quarter data are complete, we have revised the forecast for linehaul operating rates. Average rail rates are forecast to rise 0.3% in 2000 after declining an estimated 0.5% in 1999. Non-intermodal rates for shipping all products, except primary metal products, are expected to rise next year.

% CHANGE VS.:1 month ago6 mos. ago1 yr. ago

Coal/Petroleum 0.0 +0.1 +0.9

Chemicals +0.1 +0.2 -0.5

Farm products +2.7 +3.0 -0.3

Motor vehicles 0.0 0.0 0.0

Metallic ores 0.0 -2.8 -1.5