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It was one up, one down for U.S. railroads in week No. 44. During the period ending Nov. 4, the roads’ intermodal volume increased 2 percent to 250,090 units but originated carloads decreased 0.4 percent to 336,904 units compared with the same 2005 week, according to the Association of American Railroads.

Through 2006’s first 44 weeks, U.S. railroads originated 14.8 million carloads, up 1.4 percent, and 10.5 million trailers and containers, up 5.8 percent compared with similar 2005 data. Estimated total volume of 1.48 trillion ton-miles rose 2.6 percent.

Canadian railroads had the same up-and-down week. Intermodal loads increased 1.3 percent to 48,283 units while originated carloads declined 3.7 percent to 75,905 units compared with similar 2005 data. Through 44 weeks, Canadian roads originated 3.3 million carloads, down 1.4 percent, and 2 million trailers and containers, up 5.4 percent.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through 44 weeks, 13 reporting U.S. and Canadian railroads boosted carloads 0.8 percent to 18.1 million units and increased intermodal volume 5.7 percent to 12.5 million units compared with the same 2005 period.

In Mexico, Kansas City Southern de México S.A. de C.V.’s total weekly carload volume of 12,166 units rose 13.9 percent and total intermodal volume of 5,248 units increased 32.2 percent compared with the same 2005 week. Through 44 weeks, total carload volume decreased 3.2 percent to 501,679 units and total intermodal volume dropped 1.9 percent to 178,407 units.