Imported toys driving intermodal increase

November 26, 2010

Toys for the holidays are helping to bring furloughed train and engine crews back to work.

The Journal of Commerce reports that the number of containers (atop rail flat cars) carrying imported toys have increased by 20 percent this year compared to 2009.

The busiest ports for inbound toy shipments have been the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in California, reports the Journal of Commerce.

More than 90 percent of imported toys originate in China., reports the Journal of Commerce.

The Association of American Railroads reports that through the first 46 weeks of 2010, total intermodal loads (trailers and containers atop rail flat cars) are up 14.8 percent over a similar period in 2009.