US rail traffic hits highest week this year; pulp and paper off 21% year-to-date

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 25, 2009 (RISI) - Total rail freight traffic on US railroads reached its highest level so far this year during the week ended Nov. 21, the Assn of American Railroads reported today. US railroads reported originating 287,087 carloads for the week, down 6.8% compared with the same week in 2008 and down 0.7% from the same week in 2007, which both included the Thanksgiving holiday.

Total volume was up 2.1% from the previous week this year, and through 46 weeks of 2009 was down 17.3% from 2008 and 18% percent from 2007.

Combined North American pulp and paper rail freight for the week ending Nov. 21 at 8,770 carloads was 13.6% lower than a year earlier and through 46 weeks of 2009 at 421,084 carloads was 21.0% lower.

US pulp and paper freight was 18.3% lower in the week and down 20.9% year-to-date; Canada was off just 3.8% in the week and was 21.1% lower year-to-date; Mexico was down 55.6% and 28.8% respectively.

North American lumber and wood products carloads for the week at 4,332 were down 20.8% and year-to-date at 199,909 carloads was 31.4% lower. Primary forest products were 13.6% lower in the week and year-to-date at 138,495 carloads was down 24.5%, AAR showed.

North American farm products was the only one of 19 commodities tracked by AAR showing a year to date increase, up 11.0% from a year earlier. Chemicals were off 14.0% and waste scrap and materials was 29.5% lower.