T&E worker numbers still on rise, but slowing

The number of trailers and containers hauled by major U.S. railroads hit its highest peak for 2011 during the week ending June 11, but the increase in train and engine service workers slowed from previous months.

Major U.S. railroads originated more than 237,000 trailers and containers for the most recent week reported by the Association of American Railroads. That was some 3,000 more than the previous high reached the week of May 28.

The number of train and engine workers on Class I railroads reached 63,078 in May – up 6.6 percent from May 2010, but up only 0.33 percent from April 2011.

Here are the total number of train and engine workers employed by the major U.S. railroads in May, as reported by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board:

Additionally, Amtrak employs 3,433 train and engine workers.

Train and engine workers are the largest category of Class I employees.