For the first time in over nine months, U.S. weekly rail traffic has fallen below 2023 levels. In the week ending October 5th, total U.S. traffic reached 486,187 carloads and intermodal units, marking a 2.5% decrease compared to the same week in the previous year, according to data from the Association of American Railroads. This is the first instance since the week ending January 20th – the third week of 2024 – that volume has declined from its corresponding 2023 week. (The week ending May 4th saw total volume level with the same week in 2023). The week's traffic comprised 225,280 carloads, a 3.5% decrease, and 260,907 containers and trailers, a 1.7% decrease.

Year-to-date through 40 weeks of 2024, carload traffic is down 3.3% compared to the same period in 2023, while intermodal volume has increased by 9.1%. Overall, traffic is up 3.1% compared to the first 40 weeks of last year.

North American traffic for the week, as reported by nine U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads, totaled 331,587 carloads, a 4.5% decrease from a year ago, and 341,107 intermodal units, a 3% decrease. The combined volume of 672,694 carloads and intermodal units represents a 3.7% decline. Year-to-date North American traffic is up 2.4% through 40 weeks, with a 3.6% increase in Mexico and no change in Canada.