Rail freight outpaces last year's numbers, primarily due to increased chemical and automobile shipments
In the first three-quarters of 2025, the rail industry in North America has shown a steady growth, with a combined volume of 25,051,904 carloads and intermodal units, representing a 2.5% increase year-over-year.
The cumulative volume of carloads for the same period stood at 8,194,763, a 2.3% improvement compared to the same period in 2024. However, the volume for the week ending September 13, 2025, saw a slight dip, with 231,237 carloads, a decrease of 0.5% from the corresponding week in 2024.
The growth in rail freight can be attributed to commodity gainers such as chemicals, up 7.5%, and motor vehicles and parts, up 4.5%. Unfortunately, declines were observed in farm products, except grain, down 4.8%; coal, down 3.7%; and forest products, down 3.1%.
Intermodal volume, which includes containers and trailers, also showed an improvement, with the first 37 weeks totaling 10,007,894 units, a 3.8% increase year-over-year. However, the volume for the week was 282,930 containers and trailers, a decrease of 2.6% compared to the same week in 2024.
Notably, the CEO of CSX, Joseph R. Hinrichs, who took over the position in 2022, has expressed concerns about an obsession with profit margins hindering railroads' growth. Meanwhile, the dwell time for LA-Long Beach container trucks and rail has decreased, indicating improvements in efficiency.
In other developments, a new battery railcar has been signed by Watco, signaling a shift towards more sustainable transportation solutions. A warning about rail mergers, however, suggests that such moves could lead to higher costs and potentially worse service.
The rail industry in North America, therefore, continues to show resilience and growth, with challenges and opportunities arising in equal measure. As the year progresses, it will be interesting to see how these trends unfold.
