JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- RailAmerica, Inc. today reported that its total freight carloads for the month ended December 31, 2010 were 71,209, up 4.0% from 68,445 in December 2009. These results include the Ottawa Valley Railway (OVRR) operation.
The Company increased shipments in December 2010 in nine out of twelve commodity groups compared to December 2009. Much of the increase was due to shipments of Coal, Metallic Ores and Metals, and Non-Metallic Minerals and Products. Coal increased primarily due to shipments in the Central region. Metallic Ores and Metals volumes were up primarily due to increased shipments in the Midwest and Northeast regions. Non-Metallic Minerals and Products carloads increased primarily due to higher shipments in the Central and Northeast regions. The largest declines were in Agricultural Products and Motor Vehicles. Agricultural Products were down primarily due to lower shipments in the Midwest and West regions, and Motor Vehicles were down primarily due to decreased shipments in the Midwest region.
RailAmerica, Inc. owns and operates short line and regional freight railroads in North America, operating a portfolio of 40 individual railroads with approximately 7,300 miles of track in 27 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain items in this press release and other information we provide from time to time may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including, but not necessarily limited to, statements relating to future events and financial performance. Words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "appears," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "seeks," "estimates" and variations on these words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors that could lead to actual results materially different from those described in the forward-looking statements. RailAmerica, Inc. can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects or that could cause actual results to differ materially from RailAmerica, Inc.'s expectations include, but are not limited to, prolonged capital markets disruption and volatility, general economic conditions and business conditions, our relationships with Class I railroads and other connecting carriers, our ability to obtain railcars and locomotives from other providers on which we are currently dependent, legislative and regulatory developments including rulings by the Surface Transportation Board or the Railroad Retirement Board, strikes or work stoppages by our employees, our transportation of hazardous materials by rail, rising fuel costs, goodwill assessment risks, acquisition risks, competitive pressures within the industry, risks related to the geographic markets in which we operate; and other risks detailed in RailAmerica, Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. In addition, new risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for RailAmerica, Inc. to predict or assess the impact of every factor that may cause its actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. RailAmerica, Inc. expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.
RailAmerica, Inc. Carload Comparisons by Commodity Group Month Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 December QTD December ---------------------- ----------------------- Commodity Group 2010 2009 % Chg 2010 2009 % Chg --------------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Coal 15,621 13,690 14.1% 44,593 41,687 7.0% Agricultural Products 11,430 12,725 -10.2% 35,248 38,199 -7.7% Chemicals 7,736 7,332 5.5% 24,197 21,106 14.6% Non-Metallic Minerals and Products 6,092 5,387 13.1% 19,752 16,896 16.9% Pulp, Paper & Allied Products 5,690 5,286 7.6% 16,258 15,639 4.0% Metallic Ores and Metals 4,970 3,702 34.3% 15,412 11,683 31.9% Food or Kindred Products 4,590 4,291 7.0% 14,195 13,102 8.3% Waste & Scrap Materials 4,288 4,643 -7.6% 13,760 13,944 -1.3% Petroleum 3,868 3,682 5.1% 10,946 10,700 2.3% Forest Products 3,774 3,582 5.4% 10,957 10,995 -0.3% Other 2,396 1,961 22.2% 7,785 6,434 21.0% Motor Vehicles 754 2,164 -65.2% 2,351 6,053 -61.2% ----------------------- ------ ------ ------ ------- ------- ----- TOTAL 71,209 68,445 4.0% 215,454 206,438 4.4% OVRR (673) (738) (2,013) (2,032) TOTAL (excluding OVRR) 70,536 67,707 4.2% 213,441 204,406 4.4%
RailAmerica
CONTACT: Investors: Ira Berger, Office: +1-904-538-6332; Media: Donia
Crime, Office: +1-904-645-6200, Cell: +1-404-271-1437
Web Site: http://www.railamerica.com/
