T&E employment up 7.47 percent in March

Train and engine employment on major U.S. railroads climbed by almost 7.5 percent in March 2011 to 62,627, versus March 2010, according to U.S. Surface Transportation Board data.

The 7.47 percent increase in train and engine employment is more than double the increase in any other craft.

The total Class I workforce totaled almost 156,000 in mid-March, up almost 4.5 percent from March 2010.

The increased headcount reflects the rise in carloadings — especially intermodal (trailer and containers atop flatcars) and an economy climbing out of recession.