U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes are mixed for the week ending August 7, reports AAR

United States rail carload and intermodal volumes, for the week ending August 7, were mixed, according to data issued this week by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Rail carloads—at 234,336—saw a 6.3% annual increase, topping the weeks ending July 31 and July 24, at 228,975 and 230,095, respectively.

AAR said that six of the 10 carload commodity groups it tracks saw annual gains, including: metallic ores and metals, up 7,424 carloads, to 23,193; coal, up 7,301 carloads, to 66,838; and nonmetallic minerals, up 3,131 carloads, to 33,759. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2020 included grain, down 3,730 carloads, to 18,190; motor vehicles and parts, down 2,937 carloads, to 13,230; and petroleum and petroleum products, down 1,106 carloads, to 10,188.

Intermodal containers and trailers—at 275,271—slipped 0.6% annually, topping the weeks ending July 31 and July 24, at 273,565 and 273,124.

Through the first 31 weeks of 2021, AAR reported that U.S. rail carloads—at 7,141,531—are up 9% annually, and intermodal units—at 8,673,507—are up 14.6%.