Rail Traffic Continues to Show Improvement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oct. 21, 2010 – "The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported that weekly rail traffic continues to show improvement over 2009 levels with U.S. railroads originating 303,664 carloads for the week ending Oct. 16, 2010, up 10.1% compared with the same week last year. Intermodal traffic for the week totaled 237,180 trailers and containers, up 15.1% compared with the same week a year ago, with container volume up 15.8% and trailer volume up 11.1%."

MP: Based on the continuing gains in weekly rail traffic week after week, we would have to conclude that: a) there are ongoing increases in the demand for raw materials, parts, chemicals, grains, lumber, petroleum products, farm products, coal, etc., and b) these inputs will then end up as increases in final output (GDP), and c) eventually increased employment.