US intermodal trumps presidential change

An imminent change of administration has not derailed growth in the American rail sector. The Association of American Railroads’ latest statistical review shows encouragement. The AAR, which monitors freight performance, said its members returned better than ever intermodal figures in the last month of 2024. However, there is an awareness of uncertainty over government policy.

According to the monthly statistics from the AAR, December 2024 had the highest intermodal volume of any December in history. US rail containers and trailers volume in December 2024 averaged 273,122 units per week, the most ever for December and up 11.2 per cent over December 2023. Year-on-year intermodal change was positive each month in 2024, claimed the Association.

Trucks on tracks going out of fashion

The US network is principally a freight railway. The numbers behind the industry are consequently large. According to AAR figures for 2024, US railroads orig…