Biweekly Railroad Service Report Update – Nov ’15
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) published the 51st – 55th weekly service report updates for Class 1 railroads spanning data acquired through the end of Oct ’15. Overall, ethanol and grain transportation speeds remained above average levels throughout the month while weekly held cars remained at below average levels.
Ethanol Transportation:
• Average train speeds for ethanol transportation remained above average levels during the month of October. Oct 31st ethanol train speeds of 23.3 MPH were 8.8% higher than the historical average ethanol train speeds and 10.0% higher on a YOY basis.
• Ethanol cars held 48-120 hours continued to remain below average levels throughout the month of October. Oct 31st ethanol cars held 48-120 hours were 22.8% below the historical average ethanol cars held 48-120 hours and 27.0% lower on a YOY basis.
• Ethanol cars held longer than 120 hours also continued to remain below average levels throughout the month of October. Oct 31st ethanol cars held longer than 120 hours were 24.0% below the historical average ethanol cars held longer than 120 hours and 53.9% lower on a YOY basis.
Grain Transportation:
• Average train speeds for grain transportation remained at above average levels during the month of October. Oct 31st grain train speeds of 22.7 MPH were 5.1% higher than the historical average grain train speeds and 9.6% higher on a YOY basis.
• Grain cars held 48-120 hours remained at below average levels throughout the month of October. Oct 31st grain cars held 48-120 hours were 21.9% below the historical average grain cars held 48-120 hours and 18.0% lower on a YOY basis.
• Grain cars held longer than 120 hours also remained at below average levels throughout the month of October. Oct 31st grain cars held longer than 120 hours were 27.4% below the historical average grain cars held longer than 120 hours and 42.2% lower on a YOY basis.
Total Cars Online:
• Oct 31st total cars online totaled 1.03 million, down slightly from the previous week and 3.3% below last year’s figures.
• Oct 31st total cars online by railway were led by Union Pacific, followed by BNSF, CSX and Norfolk Southern.
• Ethanol cars held 48-120 hours continued to remain below average levels throughout the month of October. Oct 31st ethanol cars held 48-120 hours were 22.8% below the historical average ethanol cars held 48-120 hours and 27.0% lower on a YOY basis.
• Ethanol cars held longer than 120 hours also continued to remain below average levels throughout the month of October. Oct 31st ethanol cars held longer than 120 hours were 24.0% below the historical average ethanol cars held longer than 120 hours and 53.9% lower on a YOY basis.
Grain Transportation:
• Average train speeds for grain transportation remained at above average levels during the month of October. Oct 31st grain train speeds of 22.7 MPH were 5.1% higher than the historical average grain train speeds and 9.6% higher on a YOY basis.
• Grain cars held 48-120 hours remained at below average levels throughout the month of October. Oct 31st grain cars held 48-120 hours were 21.9% below the historical average grain cars held 48-120 hours and 18.0% lower on a YOY basis.
• Grain cars held longer than 120 hours also remained at below average levels throughout the month of October. Oct 31st grain cars held longer than 120 hours were 27.4% below the historical average grain cars held longer than 120 hours and 42.2% lower on a YOY basis.
Total Cars Online:
• Oct 31st total cars online totaled 1.03 million, down slightly from the previous week and 3.3% below last year’s figures.
• Oct 31st total cars online by railway were led by Union Pacific, followed by BNSF, CSX and Norfolk Southern.