Weekly Railroad Service Report Update – 12/18/14
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) published the ninth weekly service report update for Class 1 railroads spanning data acquired from December 7th to December 13th. Overall, results were mixed for ethanol and grain transportation, with lower train speeds but also less held cars than the prior week.
Ethanol Transportation:
• Average train speed for ethanol transportation declined for the second consecutive week, down 1.1% to 20.3 MPH. Ethanol train speed has declined five of the last six weeks and remains slightly below the previous eight week average speed.
• Ethanol cars held 48-120 hours declined 18.4% week-over-week from the previous eight week high. Ethanol cars held 48-120 hours remain 59.4% higher than the initial data point released eight weeks ago and 24.7% higher than the previous eight week average cars held 48-120 hours.
• Ethanol cars held longer than 120 hours declined sharply week-over-week from the previous eight week high, down 42.7% to a new nine week low.
Grain Transportation:
• Average train speed for grain transportation of 20.6 MPH declined 3.4% from the previous eight week high. Train speed for grain transportation declined slightly below the initial data point released eight weeks ago but remains slightly above the previous eight week average speed.
• Grain cars held 48-120 hours declined sharply week-over-week, down 27.5%. Grain cars held 48-120 hours remain 8.9% higher than the initial data point released eight weeks ago but are 12.0% lower than the previous eight week average cars held 48-120 hours.
• Grain cars held longer than 120 hours declined 4.9% week-over-week but remain 11.9% higher than the previous eight week average cars held 48-120 hours and 68.9% higher than the initial data point released eight weeks ago.
• Ethanol cars held 48-120 hours declined 18.4% week-over-week from the previous eight week high. Ethanol cars held 48-120 hours remain 59.4% higher than the initial data point released eight weeks ago and 24.7% higher than the previous eight week average cars held 48-120 hours.
• Ethanol cars held longer than 120 hours declined sharply week-over-week from the previous eight week high, down 42.7% to a new nine week low.
Grain Transportation:
• Average train speed for grain transportation of 20.6 MPH declined 3.4% from the previous eight week high. Train speed for grain transportation declined slightly below the initial data point released eight weeks ago but remains slightly above the previous eight week average speed.
• Grain cars held 48-120 hours declined sharply week-over-week, down 27.5%. Grain cars held 48-120 hours remain 8.9% higher than the initial data point released eight weeks ago but are 12.0% lower than the previous eight week average cars held 48-120 hours.
• Grain cars held longer than 120 hours declined 4.9% week-over-week but remain 11.9% higher than the previous eight week average cars held 48-120 hours and 68.9% higher than the initial data point released eight weeks ago.