Short Line Traffic Chugs Ahead

North American short lines surveyed for the RMI RailConnect index had their strongest traffic week in more than four months, in the week ending Aug. 1.

Volume reached 92,647 units – mostly carloads of bulk cargoes but also including intermodal trailers and containers -- the highest since March 14.

That included the most hauls of metals and related products since April 4 and the largest grain moves since Feb. 28. And a wide range of other cargoes rose or stayed close to recent highs.

The RMI report was drawn from 339 railroads, a majority of the short lines operating in the United States and Canada.

Contact John D. Boyd at jboyd@joc.com.