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Rail Traffic Dips 4% as 2026 Begins
14 Jan
Summary
- US rail traffic decreased by 4% for the week ending Jan. 3, 2026.
- Overall yearly traffic saw a 1.5% increase over the previous year.
- Chemicals and grain volumes improved from the prior week.
Rail traffic across the U.S. saw a 4% decrease for the week concluding January 3, 2026, as reported by the Association of American Railroads. Carloads experienced a 2.8% drop, while intermodal units declined by 5.1% compared to the same period last year. The week was recognized as a 53rd week, excluded from standard annual calculations.
However, the full 52-week year-end figures for 2025 presented a more optimistic outlook, with total volume increasing by 1.5% over 2024. Both carloads and intermodal units contributed to this growth, each rising by 1.5%. Grain and coal volumes were notable positive performers for the year.
North American rail traffic mirrored these trends, showing a 3.9% decrease for the specified week but a 1.4% increase for the year-end total. Canadian traffic experienced a dip for the week but a 2% annual increase, while Mexico saw a weekly decline offset by a slight annual improvement.
