The data revealed the freight falls were especially prevalent in the western states, where cargo – carried mainly by Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe – saw a 11.9% drop in volume.

In the east, where railways primarily see CXS and Norfolk Southern cars, volumes plunged 19.5%.

Although all 19 of its commodity groups saw changes, ranging from a drop of 5.5% in grain mill products to a punishing 57.3% decline from metals, but coal had a much smaller bruise with a dip of 0.8%.

The railroad association noted the trend also extends to the entire North American continent. For the combined areas of the US, Canada and Mexico, rail volume was down 16.1% to 2,106,793 carloads, versus the same period in 2008.

AAR’s data accounts for 89% of the US’s carload freight and 98% of rail intermodal volumes. More than 40% of the nation’s transport is accomplished via railroads.