Coal car loadings rise despite rail congestion

摘要

The amount of coal shipped by major North American railroads increased in 2014, but some carriers still moved less volume. The number of coal cars loaded in 2014 rose by 0.9pc during the 53 weeks ended on 3 January 2015, according to the Association of American Railroads. Railroads might have been able to increase coal shipments even more but system-wide congestion and a shortage of equipment and crews limited options. Many utilities’ stockpiles plummeted because railroads were not able to deliver coal as expected and several say the situation persists.