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The year's 45th week was unlike most weeks for U.S. railroads in 2007 — carloads went up. During the period ending Nov. 10, the roads originated 342,929 carloads, a 5.1 percent increase compared with traffic from the same week in 2006, according to the Association of American Railroads.

However, U.S. railroads intermodal volume dipped 0.8 percent year over year to 244,060 units.

"Class I traffic increased 2.5 percent in Week 45, which may be an initial sign that volumes are stabilizing vs. easier comparisons," said Ban of America Securities analyst Scott Flower in the firm's weekly rail traffic report. "That said, the economic environment remains challenging and freight demand is still soft."

Through 2007's first 45 weeks, U.S. railroads originated 14.8 million carloads, down 2.7 percent, and 10.5 million containers and trailers, down 2.1 percent compared with traffic during the same 2006 period. Total volume fell 1.3 percent to an estimated 1.5 trillion ton-miles.

Canadian railroads had a solid week on both sides of the traffic ledger. During the period ending Nov. 10, their originated carloads rose 7.9 percent to 81,076 units and intermodal volume increased 5.9 percent to 52,229 units compared with traffic from the same week last year.

Through 45 weeks, Canadian railroads originated 3.5 million carloads, down 0.2 percent, and 2.1 million containers and trailers, up 3.1 percent year over year.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through 45 weeks, reporting U.S. and Canadian railroads originated 18.3 million carloads, down 2.3 percent, and 12.6 million intermodal loads, down 1.3 percent compared with totals from the same 2006 period.