First quarter intermodal loadings—3,292,291—were up 9.0 percent annually, as were the four major intermodal equipment categories tracked by IANA.

Carload volume was down 0.1 percent in the East and down 4.2 percent out West. Carloads on a year-to-date basis are at 5,233,086 for a 3.4 percent annual gain.

As has been the case in recent weeks, rail carload and intermodal volumes were somewhat mixed in April, according to data from the Association of American Railroads (AAR). April rail carloads—at 1,117277—were down 0.2 percent compared to April 2010 and up 2.5 percent compared to March 2011 on a seasonally-adjusted basis

Carload volume—at 295,347—was flat on an annual basis, and intermodal volumes for the week ending April 30 at 229,677 trailers and containers were up 7.8 percent year-over-year.

Company officials said the $105 million facility is part of the $2.5 billion Crescent Corridor initiative. It is expected to be open in late 2012 and will be built on 380 acres. It is expected to create 6,200 jobs in the Memphis region over the next ten years and is expected to handle 327,000 containers and trailers annually.

The red-hot intermodal sector is “in fashion” these days as shippers opt for lower rates at near-truck service levels. Our intrepid trucking correspondent examines the factors driving this impressive growth as well as how logistics professionals are using the option as part of their 2011 transportation tool kit.

Like the preceding week, rail traffic was mixed for the week ending April 23 compared to last year, according to data released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

At last week’s NASSTRAC Logistics Conference & Expo in Orlando, Fla., LM Group News Editor Jeff Berman had an opportunity to speak with Leathers about myriad industry-related topics, including energy prices, modal shifts, and government regulation, among others.

When a Wall Street Journal article reported that rail shipping woes were impacting auto deliveries, industry experts told LM the situation is not as dire as it seems.

Carload volume—at 295,426—was down 0.3 percent compared to last year, and intermodal was up 9.8 percent at 230,460 trailers and containers.