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Heading toward October’s end, U.S. railroads maintained their rapid traffic pace of late. During the week ending Oct. 23, they originated 302,855 carloads, up 9.6 percent, and 235,606 intermodal loads, up 13.6 percent compared with volumes from the same week last year, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Sixteen of 19 carload commodity groups posted gains, including agricultural products, which registered a traffic increase of 7 percent.

Projections for a weaker yield have tempered expectations for a record grain harvest, but expectations remain solid for such key grains as corn, wheat and soybeans, said Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. analysts in their weekly “Rail Flash” report.

“Corn harvesting has continued at a faster-than-normal pace, likely reflected in modestly better-than-seasonal railroad carload trends in recent weeks,” Baird analysts said. “Additionally, export grain demand should support solid grain volumes in the coming months.”

Meanwhile, Canadian railroads reported weekly volume of 74,916 carloads, up 5.4 percent, and 50,375 containers and trailers, up 12.6 percent year over year. During the week ending Oct. 23, Mexican railroads increased carload volume 9.4 percent to 14,023 units and boosted intermodal volume 10.1 percent to 7,559 units.

Through 2010’s first 42 weeks, 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads originated 15.7 million carloads, up 9.8 percent, and 11.4 million containers and trailers, up 15.1 percent year over year.

For more AAR data for the week ending Oct. 23 and through 42 weeks, follow this link.