By Andrew Moore and Annie Siebert

January 2, 2018 - U.S. coal train loadings rose 4.3% in the week ended December 22, reaching their highest level since the week ended August 18, according to Surface Transportation Board data.

An average of 105 trains/d loaded during the week, which was also up 6.3% from the year-ago week.

In the Powder River Basin, an average of 58.3 trains/d loaded during the week, down 2.5% from the prior week but up 1% from the year-ago week. Loadings peaked this year at an average of 65.6 trains/d in the week ended August 18. 

Illinois Basin loadings averaged 8.6 trains/d, up 7.4% from the prior week and up 21.8% from the year-ago week. Loadings peaked this year at an average of 9.4 trains/d in the week ended August 25.

Central Appalachia loadings averaged 16.6 trains/d, up 1% from last week and up 15.1% from last year. Loadings peaked this year at an average of 17.9 trains/d in the week ended December 8.

Northern Appalachia loadings averaged 12.9 trains/d, up 16.6% from the prior week and up 3.6% from the year-ago week. Loadings peaked this year at an average of 13.9 trains/d in the week ended January 20.

The loadings reflect data submitted weekly to the STB by CSX, Norfolk Southern, BNSF Railway and Union Pacific.