RailAmerica says carloads rose 10.7 pct in April

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.

Short-line rail operator RailAmerica Inc. said Wednesday that freight carloads in April rose 10.7 percent over a year ago, helped by strength in waste and chemicals.

The company counted 73,136 freight carloads, up from 66,091 in April 2009. The numbers excluded RailAmerica's discontinued Ottawa Valley Railway operation.

The company said it registered increased shipments in eight of 12 commodity groups, led by waste and scrap materials, chemicals, and ores and metals.

Shipments of coal and pulp and paper products fell.

RailAmerica runs 40 railroads with 7,400 miles of track in 27 states and three Canadian provinces.

Shares rose 41 cents, or 3.3 percent, to $12.68.