Larry Smith/Trans PixsU.S. intermodal traffic increased 2% for the week ended Saturday from a year ago, the Association of American Railroads said.
Trailer traffic dropped 11.5% to 29,766 units, while containers rose 4.4% to 197,372 units, the rail trade group said in its weekly report.
Railroad carloads excluding intermodal fell 5.3% to 278,420 units, the group said.
Railroad volume is considered an important economic indicator. Intermodal traffic, which tends to be higher-valued merchandise than bulk commodities, uses trains for the long haul and trucks for the shorter distance at either end of the trip.