US coal volumes of 69,973 carloads in the week ended January 6 were 6.1% below year-ago 

levels, the Association of American Railroads said Wednesday. 

The four major US railroads -- BNSF, CSX, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific -- all reported co

al volumes below totals the first week of last year. 

However,  nationwide  coal  totals  were  up  7.9% over the previous week during the Christmas 

holiday. 

Canadian  railroads  --  which  include  the  US  operations of Canadian National, which serves 

several mines in the Illinois Basin, and Canadian Pacific -- saw originations climb 2.1% year on 

year to 6,516 coal carloads.