U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes are mixed, for week ending November 29, reports AAR

United States rail carload and intermodal volumes, for the week ending November 29, were mixed, according to data issued this week by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Rail carloads, at 197,955, increased 4.3% annually, trailing the weeks ending November 22 and November 15, at 234,592, and 223,101, respectively.

AAR reported that six of the 10 carload commodity groups it tracks saw annual gains, including: coal, up 4,818 carloads, to 56,972; nonmetallic minerals, up 2,858 carloads, to 23,353; and grain, up 2,424 carloads, to 21,019. Commodity groups posting annual declines: included miscellaneous carloads, down 1,046 carloads, to 6,769; forest products, down 849 carloads, to 6,848; and chemicals, down 679 carloads, to 29,583.

Intermodal containers and trailers, at 234,860 units, fell 6.5% annually, topping the week ending November 22, at 234,592, and the week ending November 15, at 223,101.

Through the first 48 weeks of 2025, AAR reported that U.S. rail carloads, at 10,660,309, are up 1.8% annually, and intermodal units, at 12,997,055, are up 1.9%, for the same period.