The Association of American Railroads(AAR)reported Thursday declines in weekly rail traffic for the week ending January 5,2013,with US railroads originating 241,682 carloads,down 12.1 percent compared with the same week last year.Intermodal volume for the week totaled 178,317 trailers and containers,down 8 percent compared with the same week last year.The AAR said that traffic volume was likely impacted by the New Year's holiday,which fell on a Monday and Tuesday in 2013,as opposed to Saturday and Sunday in 2012.

Four of the 20 carload commodity groups posted increases compared with the same week in 2012,with petroleum products,up 53.6 percent and coke,up 12.5 percent.The groups showing a decrease in weekly traffic included iron and steel scrap,down 29.3 percent;motor vehicles and equipment,down 20.6 percent,and coal,down 19.2 percent.

Canadian railroads reported 68,421 carloads for the week,unchanged compared with the same week last year,and 42,001 trailers and containers,up 4.4 percent compared with 2012.For the first week of 2013,Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 68,421 carloads,even with the same point last year,and 42,001 trailers and containers,up 6.7 percent from last year.

Mexican railroads reported 8,401 carloads for the week,down 23.6 percent compared with the same week last year,and 5,090 trailers and containers,down 31.2 percent.Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first week of 2013 is 8,401 carloads,down 23.6 percent compared with the same point last year,and 5,090 trailers and containers,down 31.2 percent from last year.

Combined North American rail volume for the first week of 2013 on 13 reporting US,Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 318,504 carloads,down 10.1 percent compared with the same point last year,and 225,408 trailers and containers,down 6.7 percent compared with last year.