Weekly Railroad Service Report Update – 12/4/14
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) published the seventh weekly service report update for Class 1 railroads spanning data acquired from November 23rd to November 29th. Overall, results were mixed for ethanol and grain transportation, with higher train speeds but also more held cars than the prior week.
Ethanol Transportation:
• Average train speed for ethanol transportation increased week-over-week to a new seven week high, up 5.5% to 21.4 MPH. Ethanol train speed has declined three consecutive weeks prior to the most recent data point.
• Ethanol cars held 48-120 hours increased 8.5% week-over-week to a new seven week high. Ethanol cars held 48-120 hours were 53.7% higher than the initial data point released six weeks ago.
• Ethanol cars held longer than 120 hours increased 14.0% week-over-week. Ethanol cars held longer than 120 hours remain 22.6% lower than the peak reached four weeks ago but are 52.9% higher than the initial data point released six weeks ago.
Grain Transportation:
• Average train speed for grain transportation increased slightly week-over-week, up 1.9% to 20.6 MPH. Train speed for grain transportation remains 0.7% lower than the initial data point released six weeks ago.
• Grain cars held 48-120 hours increased 22.4% week-over-week to a new seven week high. Grain cars held 48-120 hours were 78.1% higher than the initial data point released six weeks ago.
• Grain cars held longer than 120 hours increased 48.9% week-over-week. Grain cars held longer than 120 hours remain 3.1% lower than the peak reached three weeks ago but are 52.9% higher than the initial data point released six weeks ago.
• Ethanol cars held 48-120 hours increased 8.5% week-over-week to a new seven week high. Ethanol cars held 48-120 hours were 53.7% higher than the initial data point released six weeks ago.
• Ethanol cars held longer than 120 hours increased 14.0% week-over-week. Ethanol cars held longer than 120 hours remain 22.6% lower than the peak reached four weeks ago but are 52.9% higher than the initial data point released six weeks ago.
Grain Transportation:
• Average train speed for grain transportation increased slightly week-over-week, up 1.9% to 20.6 MPH. Train speed for grain transportation remains 0.7% lower than the initial data point released six weeks ago.
• Grain cars held 48-120 hours increased 22.4% week-over-week to a new seven week high. Grain cars held 48-120 hours were 78.1% higher than the initial data point released six weeks ago.
• Grain cars held longer than 120 hours increased 48.9% week-over-week. Grain cars held longer than 120 hours remain 3.1% lower than the peak reached three weeks ago but are 52.9% higher than the initial data point released six weeks ago.