U.S. rail freight increased further in the week ending Oct. 31, up 3.5% from the same week in 2025, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Wednesday. Intermodal shipments were the better performer, up 3.9%, while conventional carload traffic was up 3.0%.

Seven of the 10 major carload commodity groups recorded growth. Metallic ores and metals recorded the biggest increase, up 18.3% year-on-year. Shipments of forest products increased 9.3% and motor vehicle and automotive parts shipments were up 9.1%.

The positive results came from other categories as well. Shipments of chemicals rose 7.9 percent, farm products excluding grain and food products were up 6.9 percent and petroleum and petroleum products were up 2.5 percent. Nonmetallic minerals had a smaller increase, 1.1%.

But three categories of commodities declined. Miscellaneous carloads saw the steepest decline, down 12.2%, followed by grain, down 8.3%. Coal shipments were down 0.4%.

Intermodal still leads in year-to-date performance

The outlook for U.S. rail operators remains positive overall. Total rail traffic was up 3.8% in the first 43 weeks of 2026 compared with the same period a year ago.

Intermodal again outpaced conventional freight, with volumes rising 4.7%, compared to a 2.7% increase in carload traffic.

Since the start of the year, grain remained the strongest performer of the individual carload categories. Grain shipments were down for the week but were up 10.1% year over year. Metals and metallic ores rose 8.9 percent and petroleum and petroleum products advanced 7.9 percent.

Coal was the only carload commodity group to fall short of its 2025 level for the 43-week period, down 1.6%.

North American rail traffic also showed solid gains.

The good news was not only in the United States. Combined traffic for the nine U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads reporting to the Association during the week ending October 31 rose 4.3% compared with the same week in 2025.

Carload shipments of North American origin rose 3.9 % and intermodal volumes were up 4.7 %. Total combined rail traffic for the first 43 weeks of 2026 in the three countries was up 3.3%.

The latest statistics show that rail freight traffic continues to increase with intermodal transport playing a particularly important part in the weekly and year-to-date growth. Rail traffic in the U.S. also aided the sector’s positive direction, rising 3.8% in the first 43 weeks of 2026.