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Intermodal Traffic Falls for Week
Rail freight improved but intermodal traffic declined last week compared with a year ago, the Association of American Railroads said Thursday.
Intermodal traffic fell 2.8% for the week ended Saturday, led by a 4.1% decline in containers, to 183,798 units. Trailers gained 2.4% 48,123 units.
Overall rail traffic rose 3.3% for the week, to 321,049 carloads, the group said.
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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.