Observations for Week (1/10/2023-1/16/2023):
- The 7-day moving average number of trains moving westbound past Chilliwack was 27.6 trains/day, above the average of 25.7 trains/day that is required to move a typical grain harvest.
- The moving average number of trains/day was above 25.7 trains/day for all 7 days during this past week.
- During the week ended 1/16/2023, the 7-day moving average for total trains increased by 0.5 trains/day, rising from 27.1 trains/day as of 1/9 to 27.6 trains/day as of 1/16.
We estimate that about 5 grain trains/day are required to move the expected grain harvest. The railways moved an average of 7.6 grain trains/day during the week ending 1/16/2023, well above the required average.
As of 1/16/2023, rail traffic in four of the seven categories we track was above its long-term average level. Manifest trains (4.0 trains/day), grain (7.6 trains/day), potash (1.7 trains/day), and petroleum (2.6 trains/day) were all above their long-term average levels. Coal traffic (5.0 trains/day) was close to its long-term average of 5.2 trains/day. Intermodal traffic (6.0 trains/day) remained below its long-term average for the tenth week in a row, and other traffic (0.7 trains/day), remained below its long-term average for the second week in a row.
We will continue to monitor the corridor to Vancouver during the grain season and provide updates on trends we’re seeing.
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