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After an up-and-down May, U.S. railroads got off to a slow traffic start in June. During the week ending June 7, the roads' originated carloads totaling 323,985 units decreased 2.1 percent and intermodal volume totaling 236,384 units declined 1.1 percent compared with totals from the same 2007 period, according to Association of American Railroads data.

During 2008's first 23 weeks, U.S. railroads originated 7.5 million carloads, up 0.8 percent, and 5 million containers and trailers, down 3 percent vs. totals from 2007's first 23 weeks. Total volume reached an estimated 773.7 billion ton-miles, representing a 2.1 percent year-over-year increase.

Canadian railroads fared better during June's first week. Although their originated carloads totaling 75,456 units dropped 3 percent, their intermodal volume totaling 49,081 units rose 7.6 percent compared with totals from the same week last year. Through 23 weeks, Canadian roads' originated carloads decreased 3.7 percent to 1.7 million units, but intermodal volume increased 4.7 percent to 1 million units vs. totals from the same 2007 period.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through 23 weeks, reporting U.S. and Canadian railroads originated 9.1 million carloads, down 0.1 percent, and 6.1 million containers and trailers, down 1.7 percent year over year.