U.S. Intermodal Transportation: Moving in the Right Direction

According to data from the Association of American Railroads (AAR), U.S. intermodal volume has shown an upward trend after a prolonged slump. For the week ending August 8 (Week 32), intermodal volume reached its highest level since December 2019—30% higher than the low point recorded in April 2020. U.S. rail intermodal volume stood at 277,054 units. Although these figures remain below year-ago levels, they are encouraging, signaling that the industry is gradually emerging from the prolonged downturn caused by the pandemic. John T. Gray, AAR’s Senior Vice President, commented: “Like the overall economy, rail transportation is generally moving in the right direction—but progress is slow. There remains a long way to go before returning to normal, and gradual weekly improvements—as well as setbacks for individual commodities—are to be expected.” Intermodal volume rebounds, while trailer-on-flatcar (TOFC) traffic remains stagnant. AAR leadership also noted that “intermodal traffic is closer to pre-pandemic levels than any other rail traffic category.”

Green Investment | Freight Railroads—Even Buffett Is a Fan

U.S. passenger rail service remains lukewarm, but freight rail is exceptionally robust! Below are striking facts about freight rail—and practical insights on how to invest. Scale of Freight Rail Extensive coverage: The U.S. rail network spans nearly 140,000 miles and connects seamlessly with Canada and Mexico—making it one of the world’s largest freight rail systems. High volume: In 2022, U.S. railroads hauled approximately 1.6 billion tons of freight—including coal, chemicals, agricultural products, and consumer goods. Economic contribution: Freight rail generates billions of dollars in annual revenue and directly or indirectly supports millions of jobs. Low-carbon and eco-friendly: Rail handles roughly 40% of U.S. intercity freight ton-miles, yet accounts for only 2.1% of U.S. transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. Investment Options The U.S. freight rail system is primarily operated by private companies—including the six Class I railroads: BNSF, Union Pacific, CSX, Norfolk Southern, Canadian National, and CPKC. Among them, BNSF is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK), Warren Buffett’s company; the others are independent U.S.-listed public companies—all of which pay dividends.

North America Weekly Chemical Rail Volume Strengthens Year-Over-Year

Oct 16, 2026

North American weekly chemical railcar volume increased 4.2% year-over-year to 47,228 carloads per Association of American Railroads data. The four-week moving average exceeded seasonal trends by 7.1%, indicating robust demand in the US and Canada.

chemweek

2026-05-02

Vital stats: Friday, May 1, 2026

2026-05-09

Vital Stats: Friday, May 8, 2026

2026-05-15

North America Weekly Chemical Rail Stabilizes Below March Peak

2026-05-21

North America Weekly Chemical Rail Shows Signs of Softening

2026-05-23

North American Chemical Rail Traffic Softens Slightly