The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported that intermodal rail traffic in June increased 19.2% compared with the same month in 2009, representing the largest year-over-year monthly gain since AAR records began in 1990.

Compared with pre-recession levels, however, intermodal rail traffic in June was still down 1.4% compared with June 2008, AAR said. In addition, seasonally adjusted data showed month-to-month intermodal traffic was down 1.1% from May 2010.

Total monthly rail carloads for June 2010 were up 10.6% compared with last year, but still down 10.2% compared with June 2008.

Average weekly container volume in June 2010 was the 9th highest since 1990, reflecting a years-long trend of domestic freight converting from truck trailers to containers on rail. Railroads also continued to bring freight cars out of storage, putting 3064 cars back into service in June.

"While June traffic shows signs of an economy that is in better shape than it was a year ago, we still have a long way to go to see rail traffic levels associated with a full recovery," said AAR senior vice president John Gray.