The U.S. Class I workforce continues to enlarge. As of mid-June, the large roads employed 164,469 people, up 0.1 percent from May's level and 0.8 percent from June 2012's count, according to Surface Transportation Board data.

On a month-over-month basis, three of the six workforce segments posted gains: Professional and administrative staff, up 2.2 percent to 14,467; executives, officials and staff assistants, up 0.6 percent to 9,802; and transportation (train and engine), up 0.2 percent to 66,078. The decliners were the maintenance of equipment and stores force, down 0.6 percent to 29,938; transportation (other than T&E) ranks, down 0.4 percent to 6,742; and maintenance-of-way and structures crews, down 0.2 percent to 37,442.

More managers and bosses, less of those who do the work.