Industry Overview - U.S. Class I railroads are experiencing tepid growth with a 3% year-over-year decline in rail volumes for the week ending October 25, 2025, totaling 498,462 carloads and intermodal units moved, despite a 2% year-to-date increase [1] - North American rail volumes, including major U.S. players, averaged around 700,000 carloads over the trailing four-week period, showing a year-over-year dip while intermodal traffic, which constitutes 53% of total volume, experienced a 4% year-to-date gain but fell 4% in Week 43 [2] Commodity Performance - Grain volumes have increased by 7% year-to-date and 5% quarter-to-date, driven by strong U.S. exports amid global supply disruptions, with record soybean harvests reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture [3] - Coal shipments showed mixed results, remaining flat weekly but down 3% quarter-to-date and up 4% year-to-date, reflecting earlier increases in domestic power plant usage, although recent declines indicate a cooling trend as natural gas prices stabilize [3] Automotive Sector Impact - North American automotive carloads decreased by 10% in Week 43, with a quarter-to-date increase of 2%, primarily due to a fire at Novelis' aluminum plant, which halted production and is expected to cost Ford an estimated 90,000-100,000 vehicles in Q4 [4] - Ford is increasing shifts at other plants to mitigate losses, while GM is facing lesser impacts; Eastern railroads anticipate Q4 pressure due to their proximity to affected auto plants, whereas Western railroads have maintained relative stability [4]