Posted on by Curtis Chandler Posted in Railcar Report

“You do not write your life with words…You write it with actions. What you think is not important. It is only important what you do.”
― Patrick Ness

Jobs Update

  • Initial jobless claims seasonally adjusted for the week ending March 23rd, 2023 came in at 210,000, down -2,000 people week-over-week.
  • Continuing jobless claims came in at 1.819 million people, versus the adjusted number of 1.795 million people from the week prior, up 24,000 people week-over-week.

Stocks closed mixed on Thursday of last week, and mixed week over week

The DOW closed higher on Thursday of last week, up 47.29 points (0.12%), closing out the week at 39,807.37, up 331.47 points week-over-week. The S&P 500 closed higher on Thursday of last week, up 5.86  points (0.11%), and closed out the week at 5,254.35, up 20.17 points week-over-week. The NASDAQ closed lower on Thursday of last week, down -20.06 points (-0.12%), and closed out the week at 16,379.46, down -49.36 points week-over-week.

In overnight trading, DOW futures traded higher and are expected to open at 40,286 this morning up 110 points.

Crude oil closed higher on Thursday of last week and higher week over week.

WTI traded up $1.82 per barrel (2.2%) to close at $83.17 per barrel on Thursday of last week, up $2.54 per barrel week-over-week. Brent traded up US$1.58 per barrel (1.86%) on Thursday of last week, to close at US$87 per barrel, up US$1.57 per barrel week-over-week.

U.S. commercial crude oil inventories (excluding those in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) increased by 3.2 million barrels week-over-week. At 448.2 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are 2% below the five-year average for this time of year.

Total motor gasoline inventories increased by 1.3 million barrels week-over-week and are 1% below the five-year average for this time of year.

Distillate fuel inventories decreased by 1.2 million barrels week-over-week and are 6% below the five-year average for this time of year.

Propane/propylene inventories slightly decreased week-over-week and are 10% above the five-year average for this time of year.

Propane prices closed at 82 cents per gallon, up 6 cents per gallon week-over-week and up 9 cents per gallon year-over-year.

Overall, total commercial petroleum inventories increased by 5.3 million barrels, during the week ending March 22nd, 2024.

U.S. crude oil imports averaged 6.7 million barrels per day during the week ending March 22nd, 2024, an increase of 424,000 barrels per day week-over-week. Over the past four weeks, crude oil imports averaged 6.4 million barrels per day, 7.1% more than the same four-week period last year. Total motor gasoline imports (including both finished gasoline and gasoline blending components) averaged 522,000 barrels per day, and distillate fuel imports averaged 165,000 barrels per day. during the week ending March 15th, 2024.

U.S. crude oil exports averaged 4.181 million barrels per day for the week ending March 22nd, 2024, a decrease of 700,000 barrels per day week-over-week. Over the past four weeks, crude oil exports averaged 4.212 million barrels per day.

U.S. crude oil refinery inputs averaged 15.9 million barrels per day during the week ending March 22, 2024, which was 148,000 barrels per day more week-over-week.

WTI is poised to open at $83.22, up 5 cents per barrel from Friday’s close.

North American Rail Traffic

Week Ending March 27th, 2024.

Total North American weekly rail volumes were up (2.97%) in week 13, compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending on March 27th were 343,915, down (-2.78%) compared with the same week in 2023, while weekly intermodal volume was 321,192, up (9.83%) compared to the same week in 2023. 7 of the AAR’s 11 major traffic categories posted year-over-year increases. The most significant decrease came from Coal, which was down (-19.77%).  The most significant increase came from Grains which was up (+14.7%).

In the East, CSX’s total volumes were up (6.08%), with the largest decrease coming from Metallic Ores and Metals, down (-24.75%) while the largest increase came from Petroleum and Petroleum Products (27.33%). NS’s volumes were up (4.9%), with the largest increase coming from Grain (+12.61%) while the largest decrease came from Petroleum and Petroleum Products (-20.2%).

In the West, BN’s total volumes were up (4.73%), with the largest increase coming from Other (+24.32%) while the largest decrease came from Coal, down (-31.69%). UP’s total rail volumes were down (0.11%) with the largest decrease coming from Coal, down (-38.82%) while the largest increase came from Grain which was up (37.69%).

In Canada, CN’s total rail volumes were up (1.17%) with the largest decrease coming from Grain, down (-36.32%) while the largest increase came from Nonmetallic Minerals, up (+18.31%). CP’s total rail volumes were up (+1.88%) with the largest increase coming from Grain (+77.12%) while the largest decrease came from Coal, down (-70.32%).

KCS’s total rail volumes were down (-10.64%) with the largest decrease coming from Coal (-31.05%) and the largest increase coming from Metallic Ores and Metals (+27.19%).

Source Data: AAR – PFL Analytics

Rig Count

North American rig count was down by -21 rigs week-over-week. U.S. rig count was down by -3 rigs week-over-week, but down by -134 rigs year-over-year. The U.S. currently has 621 active rigs. Canada’s rig count was down by -18 rigs week-over-week, but up by 12 rigs year-over-year.  Canada’s overall rig count is 151 active rigs. Overall, year-over-year, we are down -122 rigs collectively.

North American Rig Count Summary

A few things we are watching:

We are watching Petroleum Carloads

The four-week rolling average of petroleum carloads carried on the six largest North American railroads fell to 28,461 from 28,987, which was a loss of 526 rail cars week-over-week.  Canadian volumes were mixed. CPKC’s shipments were lower by -10% week over week. CN’s volumes were higher by +0.2% week-over-week. U.S. shipments were mostly lower.  The CSX had the largest percentage decrease and was down by -9.3%.

We are watching Crude by Rail out of Canada

The Canadian Energy Regulator (“CER”) updated its monthly crude by rail numbers on March 20, 2024.   For January 2024, Canada exported 150,292 barrels per day by rail (down by -6,850 barrels per day month over month).  This is the second consecutive month-over-month decline after seven consecutive month-over-month increases but still the third-highest reading since June of 2022.

We are expecting to see volumes shipped by rail to increase despite the completion of Trans Mountain pipeline’s expansion, and line pack completed sometime in April, particularly as it relates to undiluted bitumen which is shipped via rail as a non-haz product in unit trains.  This method of transport is competitive with pipelines and is continuing to grow.

One Exchange WCS (Western Canadian Select) for May delivery settled Thursday of last week at US$12.45 below the WTI-CMA (West Texas Intermediate – Calendar Month Average). The implied value was US$69.73 per barrel or roughly $94.37 Canadian per barrel.

We have been extremely busy at PFL with return-on-lease programs involving rail car storage instead of returning cars to a shop.  A quick turnaround is what we all want and need.   Railcar storage in general has been extremely active.  Please call PFL now at 239-390-2885 if you are looking for rail car storage, want to troubleshoot a return on lease scenario, or have storage availability.  Whether you are a car owner, lessor or lessee, or even a class 1 that wants to help out a customer we are here to “help you help your customer!”

Leasing and Subleasing has been brisk as economic activity picks up. Inquiries have continued to be brisk and strong Call PFL Today for all your rail car needs at 239-390-2885

Lease Bids

  • 200-400, 30K DOT 111 Tanks needed off of UP or BN in Houston for 2 Year. Cars are needed for use in Gas/Diesel service. 1-2 Year
  • 10, 25.5K-28.3K DOT 111 Tanks needed off of UP or BN in Houston for 2 Year. Cars are needed for use in Resin service.
  • 100-200, 5200 Covered Hoppers needed off of UP, BNSF in Gulf area for 1-2 years. Cars are needed for use in Petcoke service. Open to smaller cube or longer term
  • 10, 28.3K 117J Tanks needed off of UP or BN in Texas for 3 Year.
  • 25-30, 23.5K or 25.5K Dot 111 or CPC 1232 Tanks needed off of UP or BN in TX, OK, or AR for 3-5 Years. Cars are needed for use in Asphalt service. Needed ASAP., Lined or Unlined. Splash Load
  • 100, 30K Dot 111, CPC 1232, DOT 117R, DOT 117J Tanks needed off of CP or CN in Edmonton for 1 Year. Cars are needed for use in Diesel service.
  • 250, 4000 Rapid Hoppers needed off of BNSF in TX IL for 5 years. Cars are needed for use in Coal service. in rotary/rapid cars with the electric dumping shoe
  • 4, 6260 Covered Hoppers needed off of CSX in Bostick, NC for 2-4 Years. Cars are needed for use in Polypropene Pellets service.
  • 50-100, 4750CF Open/Covered Hoppers needed off of BN in Washington for Feb-Jun. Cars are needed for use in Petcoke service.
  • 80, 30K 117R or 117J Tanks needed off of UP in Nebraska for 12 Months. Cars are needed for use in Ethanol service.
  • 100, 30K Dot 111 or CPC 1232 Tanks needed off of UP or BN in New Orleans/Pasadena for 6-12 Months. Cars are needed for use in Gasoline/Diesel service.
  • 80, 29k 117R or 117J Tanks needed off of Any Class 1 in Kentucky for 1-5 Years. Cars are needed for use in Crude service.
  • 50, 19k DOT111 Tanks needed off of UP or BN in Nevada or CA for 1 year. Cars are needed for use in Sulfuric Acid service. March or April
  • 8, 28-30K Any Tanks needed off of UP BN in Texas and Gulf for 5 years. Cars are needed for use in Chlorobenzene service. Need Magrods
  • 14, 23.5K DOT111 Tanks needed off of UP in Morrilton, AR for 1 year. Cars are needed for use in Turpentine service.
  • 10, 30k any Tanks needed off of UP BN in Texas for 1 year plus. Cars are needed for use in Fuel Oil service.
  • 25-50, 5000CF-5100CF Covered Hoppers needed off of BNSF, CSX, KCS, UP in Gulf LA for 3-10 years. Cars are needed for use in Dry sugar service. 3 bay gravity dump, Hempel 37700
  • 30-40, 28.3K DOT117R, DOT117J, DOT111 Tanks needed off of UP in Iowa for 2-3 years. Cars are needed for use in Feedstocks service.
  • 25, 3230 PD Hoppers needed off of NS or CSX in Ohio for 5 years. Cars are needed for use in Flyash service.
  • 50, 23.5-25.5 DOT111 Tanks needed off of Any Class 1 in USA for 5 years. Cars are needed for use in Asphalt service.
  • 25, 30K Any Tanks needed off of in Houston for December -June. Cars are needed for use in Diesel service.
  • 75, 30K Any Tanks needed off of Any Class 1 in Chicago for December 23-May 24. Cars are needed for use in Gasoline service.
  • 10, 2500CF Open Top Hoppers needed off of UP or BN in Texas for 5 years. Cars are needed for use in aggregate service. Need Rapid Discharge Doors
  • 108, 28.3K Any Tanks needed off of CN in Canada for 1-3 years. Cars are needed for use in Crude service.
  • 20-25, 30K DOT117 Tanks needed off of UP or BN in Illinois for 5 years. Cars are needed for use in Ethanol service.
  • 100, 28.3K Any Tanks needed off of UP or BN in Midwest/Texas for 5 years. Cars are needed for use in Veg Oils / Biodiesel service. Need to be Unlined
  • 50-100, 4550 Covered Hoppers needed off of UP or BN in Texas for 5 years. Cars are needed for use in Grain service.
  • 10, 33K 340W Pressure Tanks needed off of CN in LA for 1 year. Cars are needed for use in Butane service.
  • 25, 20.5K CPC1232 or DOT117J Tanks needed off of BNSF or UP in the west for 3-5 years. Cars are needed for use in Magnesium chloride service. SDS onhand
  • 25-50, 25.5K DOT117J Tanks needed off of NS CSX in Northeast for 5 years. Cars are needed for use in Asphalt / Heavy Fuel Oil service.
  • 15, 28.3K DOT117J Tanks needed off of any class 1 in any location for 3 years. Cars are needed for use in Glycerin & Palm Oil service.
  • 30, 17K-20K DOT117J Tanks needed off of UP or BN in Midwest/West Coast for 3-5 years. Cars are needed for use in Caustic service.
  • 150, 23.5K DOT111 Tanks needed off of any class 1 in LA for 2-3 years. Cars are needed for use in Fluid service. Needed July
  • 10, 5200cf PD Hoppers needed off of UP in Colorado for 1-3 years. Cars are needed for use in Silica service. Call for details
  • 10, 30K 117R or 117J Tanks needed off of Any Class 1 in USA for 1 year. Cars are needed for use in Glycerin service.

Sales Bids

  • 10, 2770 Mill Gondolas needed off of any class 1 in St. Louis. Cars are needed for use in Cement service.
  • 20, 2770-3400 Mill Gondolas needed off of any class 1 in South Texas. Cars are needed for use in scrap metal service.
  • 20, 2770 Mill Gondolas needed off of CSX in the northeast. Cars are needed for use in non-haz soil service. 52-60 ft
  • 100-150, 3400CF Covered Hoppers needed off of UP BN in Texas. Cars are needed for use in Sand service.
  • 8, 5200 Covered Hoppers needed off of various class 1s in various locations. Cars are needed for use in Plastic Pellet service.
  • 20-30, 3000 – 3300 PD Hoppers needed off of BN or UP preferred in West. Cars are needed for use in Cement service. C612
  • 10, 4000 Open Top Hoppers needed off of CSX in the northeast. Cars are needed for use in scrap metal service. Open top hopper
  • 10, 6400 Open Top Hoppers needed off of CSX in the northeast. Cars are needed for use in wood chip service. Open top hopper, flat bottom
  • 5, 23,5K DOT 111 Tanks needed off of any class 1 in Texas. Negotiable
  • 200+, 5000cf Covered Hoppers needed off of any class 1 in various locations.
  • 5, 3400CF Covered Hoppers needed off of any class 1 in Ohio. Cars are needed for use in Sand service.
  • 20, 17K DOT111 Tanks needed off of various class 1s in various locations. Cars are needed for use in corn syrup service.
  • 100, 15.7K DOT111 Tanks needed off of CSX or NS in the east. Cars are needed for use in Molten Sulfur service.
  • 30, 17K-20K DOT111 Tanks needed off of UP or BN in Texas. Cars are needed for use in UAN service.
  • 2-4, 28K DOT111 Tanks needed off of BNSF Preferred in Minnesota. Cars are needed for use in Biodiesel service. Coiled and insulated
  • 20-30, Open Top Hoppers needed off of NS or CSX in Northeast. Cars are needed for use in aggregate service. Gravity dump
  • 5, 30K DOT 111 Tanks needed off of in US. Cars are needed for use in fuel service.

Lease Offers

  • 38, 4750 plus, 3-4 Hatch Gravity Covered Hopperss located off of CSX CN CP in Florida. Sub-lease 12-18 months
  • 50, 33K, 340W Pressures located off of in Moving. Cars were last used in Propane. 1 year lease
  • 10, 28.3K, DOT117R Tanks located off of All Class Ones in St Louis. Cars are clean Call 239-390-2885 for more information
  • 10, 21.9K, Tanks located off of UP in Longview, TX. Cars are clean CO2 Cars. Brand New. 2-5 Year Lease
  • 125, 28.3K, 117J Tanks located off of Various Class 1s in Multiple locations. Cars are clean Long Term Lease, 5 Years +
  • 50, 28.3K, AAR 211 Tanks located off of BN in Moving. Cars were last used in Biodiesel. 1 Year Lease; Free Move on BN
  • 200-500, 5200, Covered Hoppers located off of CN and NS in Moving on CN and NS. Cars were last used in Grain. Lease available until Fall.
  • 100, 33K, 340W Pressure Tanks located off of CN or CP in Canada. Cars are clean
  • 15, 29.2, DOT 111 Tanks located off of UP or BN in Houston. Cars were last used in Sunflower Oil. 1 Year
  • 15, 25.5, DOT 111 Tanks located off of UP or BN in Houston. Cars were last used in Sunflower Oil. 1 Year

Sales Offers

  • 20, Refer, Box Boxcars located off of UP in ID.
  • 100-300, 3400, Covered Hoppers located off of various class 1s in multiple locations. Sand Cars
  • 100, 28.3K, DOT117J Tanks located off of various class 1s in multiple locations.
  • 100, 17K, DOT111 Tanks located off of various class 1s in multiple locations.
  • 100, 19K, DOT111 Tanks located off of various class 1s in multiple locations.

Call PFL today to discuss your needs and our availability and market reach. Whether you are looking to lease cars, lease out cars, buy cars, or sell cars call PFL today at 239-390-2885

PFL offers turn-key solutions to maximize your profitability. Our goal is to provide a win/win scenario for all and we can handle virtually all of your railcar needs. Whether it’s loaded storage, empty storage, subleasing or leasing excess cars, filling orders for cars wanted, mobile railcar cleaning, blasting, mobile railcar repair, or scrapping at strategic partner sites, PFL will do its best to assist you. PFL also assists fleets and lessors with leases and sales and offers Total Fleet Evaluation Services. We will analyze your current leases, storage, and company objectives to draw up a plan of action. We will save Lessor and Lessee the headache and aggravation of navigating through this rapidly changing landscape.

PFL IS READY TO CLEAN CARS TODAY ON A MOBILE BASIS WE ARE CURRENTLY IN EAST TEXAS

Live Railcar Markets

Lease Offers
Lease Bids
Sales Offers
Sales Bids
CAT Type Capacity GRL QTY LOC Class Prev. Use Clean Offer Note

PFL will be at the Following Conferences

mars
  • Where: Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel
  • Attending: Curtis Chandler (239.405.3365), David Cohen (954-729-4774), Cyndi Popov (403-402-5043)
  • Conference Website
mars
  • Where: La Quinta Resort & Club, La Quinta, California
  • Attending: Curtis Chandler (239.405.3365)
  • Conference Website
opis
  • Where: Charlotte Harbor, Florida
  • Attending: David Cohen (954-729-4774), Brian Baker (239)297-4519
  • Conference Website