US railroads originated a new year-low volume of coal carloads for the week ending May 16, marking the lowest total in 120 weeks, according to data released Wednesday by the Association of American Railroads. The AAR reported a total of 93,664 coal carloads, down 27 carloads week over week from the previous year-low of 93,691. It was the lowest reported coal volume since 87,371 carloads in the final week of 2012 and sixth time in only 19 weeks this year that volumes fell below 100,000. The last year weekly coal carloads last fell below 100,000 more than six times was 1989 when it happened seven times, including in back-to-back intervals in the 51st and 52nd weeks of the year. Volumes did not fall below 100,000 in any week of 2014 and were sub- 100,000 in only three weeks in 2013. Weekly coal carload totals were below 100,000 five times […]