Weekly Railroad Service Report Update – 12/11/14
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) published the eighth weekly service report update for Class 1 railroads spanning data acquired from November 30th to December 6th. Overall, ethanol transportation conditions deteriorated from the previous week while grain transportation conditions improved.
Ethanol Transportation:
• Average train speed for ethanol transportation declined from the seven week high experienced the previous week, down 4.1% to 20.5 MPH. Ethanol train speed has declined four of the last five weeks and has dropped slightly below the previous seven week average speed.
• Ethanol cars held 48-120 hours increased 8.9% week-over-week to a new eight week high. Ethanol cars held 48-120 hours were 65.6% higher than the initial data point released seven weeks ago.
• Ethanol cars held longer than 120 hours increased 45.9% week-over-week to a new eight week high. Ethanol cars held longer than 120 hours were 95.3% higher than the initial data point released seven weeks ago.
Grain Transportation:
• Average train speed for grain transportation increased week-over-week to a new eight week high, up 3.7% to 21.4 MPH. Train speed for grain transportation has increased four consecutive weeks but remains only 2.9% higher than the initial data point released seven weeks ago.
• Grain cars held 48-120 hours declined 1.4% week-over-week from the seven week high experienced the previous week. Grain cars held 48-120 hours remain 77.6% higher than the initial data point released seven weeks ago.
• Grain cars held longer than 120 hours declined 1.5% week-over-week but remain 50.3% higher than the initial data point released seven weeks ago.