Mixed volumes were again the prevailing theme for U.S rail carload and intermodal volumes for the week ending May 16, according to data issued by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).
U.S. carloads were down 10 percent annually at 269,092, which was below the 273,433 recorded during the week ending May 9, and the week ending May 2 at 283,091.
Only one of the 10 carload commodity categories tracked by the AAR saw an annual increase, with motor vehicles and parts up 1 percent to 19,021 carloads. Metallic ores and minerals dropped 16.5 percent to 22,655 carloads.
Intermodal volume saw a 4.9 percent annual gain to 280,107 containers and trailers, which beat out the 277,601 recorded for the week ending May 9 and was below the 282,696 from the week ending May 2.
On a year-to-date basis through the first 19 weeks of 2015, rail carloads are down 2.2 percent annually at 5,312,651, and intermodal is up 1.9 percent at 4,959,620 units.