Weekly US coal train loading volumes strengthened week on week across all major basins, Surface Transportation Board filings show.
Data filed by the four major US railroads -- CSX, Union Pacific, BSNF and Norfolk Southern -- for the week ending February 17 shows nationwide coal loadings averaged 105.2 trains/day, up from 102.9 the prior week.
Powder River Basin loadings increased in the latest reports to 63.8 trains/d from 63 the previous week, falling just short of tying year-high average of 63.9 in mid-January.
Central Appalachian coal loading volumes were up to 14.7 trains/d from 14.2 the previous week, while Northern Appalachian grew to 12 trains/d from 11.5.
Illinois Basin loadings increased to a year-high 8.3 trains/d from 7.5. IB loadings were last higher in early September last year.
Utica Basin coal train loadings were flat at 4 trains/d, and loadings from outside the primary basins slipped to 2.4 trains/d from 2.7.
