U.S., Canada, Mexico Rail Traffic: September 2024 Trends

U.S. freight rail traffic fell 1.6% last week, with carloads and intermodal units down. Canadian rail saw gains, while Mexican traffic declined.

U.S., Canada, Mexico Rail Traffic: September 2024 Trends
September 19, 2025 5:55 am
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Introduction

For the week ending September 13, U.S. freight-rail traffic recorded a 1.6% decrease, totaling 514,167 carloads and intermodal units compared to the same week last year.

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U.S. Rail Traffic Overview

U.S. freight-rail traffic for the week ending September 13 totaled 514,167 carloads and intermodal units, a 1.6% decrease compared with traffic levels in the same week last year.

Carloads for the week totaled 231,237, a 0.5% decrease, while intermodal volume totaled 282,930 containers and trailers, a 2.6% decrease.

Commodity Group Performance

Five of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase. Gainers included chemicals, up 7.5% to 34,891; motor vehicles and parts, up 4.5% to 17,608; and nonmetallic minerals, up 2.3% to 32,754.

Commodity groups that posted decreases in traffic included coal, down 3.7% to 60,817 carloads; miscellaneous, down 18.2% to 8,776; and farm products excluding grain, and food, down 4.8% to 16,382.

Canadian Rail Traffic

Canadian railroads during the week logged 92,231 carloads, up 1.2%, and 71,932 intermodal units, up 1.1%.

Mexican Rail Traffic

Mexican railroads reported 13,147 carloads, a loss of 10.9%; and 14,662 intermodal units, a gain of 14.6%.

Conclusion

In summary, U.S. freight-rail traffic experienced a 1.6% decrease for the week ending September 13. Canadian railroads saw increases in both carloads and intermodal units, while Mexican railroads reported a decrease in carloads but an increase in intermodal units.

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