Rail Traffic Gains Slightly; Intermodal Continues to Rise

November 11, 2005 8:30 AM, EST

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ail freight traffic rose slightly for the week ended Nov. 5, as intermodal growth continued the Association of American Railroads reported.

Total intermodal volume rose 4.9% over the same week last year to 245,076. Trailer volume fell 0.6% to 64,660 while container volume jumped 7.1% to 233,559 units.

Total rail carloads for the week rose 0.5% to 339,489.

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.