The steady streak of growth on U.S railways remains intact, according to data from the Association of American Railroads (AAR).
For the week ending May 17, carloads were up 4.4 percent at 298,932, which was ahead of the week ending May 10 at 296,813 and the week ending May 3 at 297,432.
Intermodal trailers and containers were up 6.8 percent at 267,061, which was below the week ending May 10 at 267,283 and the week ending May 3 at 267,839.
Of the 10 carload commodities tracked by the AAR, 8 were up for the week ending May 17. Grain was up 37.6 percent, and chemicals were down 0.2 percent.
For the first 20 weeks of 2014, carloads are up 2.7 percent annually at 5,680,070, and intermodal is up 5.5 percent at 5,053,519 trailers and containers.