The Association of American Railroads(AAR) reported that U.S. Class I railroads originated a record 108,605 carloads of crude oil in the second quarter of 2013, up 11.8 percent from the 97,135 carloads originated in the first quarter of 2013 and up 111.0 percent over the 51,474 carloads originated in the second quarter of 2012.  Crude oil accounted for 1.5 percent of total Class 1 carloads in the second quarter of 2013. Based on data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, AAR estimates that railroads today transport approximately 11 percent of U.S. crude oil production, up from virtually none a few years ago.

The AAR also reported today decreased weekly rail traffic for the week ending August 24, 2013, with total U.S. weekly carloads of 291,889 carloads, down 1.7 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 257,080 units, up 3.5 percent compared with the same week last year.  Total U.S. rail traffic for the week was 548,969 combined carloads and intermodal units, up 0.7 percent compared with the same week last year.

Six of the 10 carload commodity groups posted increases compared with the same week in 2012, led by petroleum and petroleum products with 12,764 carloads, up 15.3 percent. Commodities showing a decrease compared with the same week last year included grain with 15,925 carloads, down 15.3 percent.

For the first 34 weeks of 2013, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 9,478,728 carloads, down 1.2 percent from the same point last year, and 8,260,570 intermodal units, up 3.5 percent from last year. Total U.S. traffic for the first 34 weeks of 2013 was 17,739,298 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.9 percent from last year.

Canadian railroads reported 79,241 carloads for the week, down 0.8 percent compared with the same week last year, and 56,458 intermodal units, up 6.1 percent compared with 2012. For the first 34 weeks of 2013, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 2,640,013 carloads, up 1.3 percent from the same point last year, and 1,803,603 intermodal units, up 4.1 percent from last year.

Mexican railroads reported 15,857 carloads for the week, up 6.2 percent compared with the same week last year, and 10,691 intermodal units, down 4.0 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 34 weeks of 2013 is 526,847 carloads, up 9.1 percent from the same point last year, and 325,830 intermodal units, down 1.2 percent from last year.

Combined North American rail volume for the 34 weeks of 2013 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 12,645,588 carloads, down 0.3 percent compared with the same point last year, and 10,390,003 trailers and containers, up 3.5 percent compared with last year.