Intermodal traffic grew 12.4% last week compared from a year ago, the Association of American Railroads reported.
Traffic increased to 228,713 units for the week ended Saturday, AAR said in its weekly report. Trailers rose 13% to 33,772 units, while containers increased 12.2% to 194,941 units.
Railroad carloads excluding intermodal showed a 1.8% gain to 293,798 carloads, AAR said.
Railroad volume is considered an important economic indicator. Intermodal traffic, which tends to be higher-valued merchandise than bulk commodities, uses trains for the long haul and trucks for the shorter distance at either end of the trip.