CSX saw a slight climb year on year in its first-quarter coal traffic, but a 31% surge in

revenues from  the sector  as  a  result  of  an improved export market, the company 

said Wednesday in its earnings report. 

The  railroad's Q1 coal volumes grew by 500,000, or 5,000 carloads, compared with 

the  same  quarter  last year, but revenues climbed to $522 million from $399 million 

thanks  to  port  deliveries. Income  was  boosted by a 28% increase in revenue per 

unit to $2,546 from $1,995. 

The company said "temporal strength in export coal" led to increased profits. 

CSX's  Q1  total export volumes rose 50% year on year to 8.7 million st. Metallurgical 

coal volumes grew 23% to 5.3 million st and thermal volumes more than doubled with 

a 127% increase to 3.4 million st. 

Domestic thermal volumes coal fell 11% year on year to 11 million st for the most rece

nt quarter and domestic coke and iron ore volumes fell 24% to 3.5 million st. 

CSX will host an earnings call Thursday with investors and media.