advertisement

---

Eighteen weeks into 2007, U.S. railroads continue to await a traffic rebound. During the week ending May 5, the railroads originated 329,456 carloads, down 4.9 percent, and 233,695 intermodal loads, down 1.3 percent compared with the same 2006 period, according to the Association of American Railroads.

During 2007’s first 18 weeks, U.S. roads’ originated carloads decreased 4.3 percent to 5.8 million units and intermodal volume dropped 0.9 percent to 4 million units compared with 2006’s first 18 weeks. Total estimated volume of 588.0 billion ton-miles represented a 2.9 percent decline.

Meanwhile, Canadian railroads posted mixed traffic results. During the week ending May 5, the roads originated 83,619 carloads, down 1.5 percent, but moved 48,515 intermodal loads, up 5.8 percent compared with the same 2006 period. Through 18 weeks, the railroads’ originated carloads dropped 1.8 percent to 1.4 million units and intermodal loads rose 1.6 percent to 806,459 units compared with 2006’s first 18 weeks.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through 18 weeks, reporting U.S. and Canadian railroads originated 7.1 million carloads, down 3.8 percent, and 4.9 million trailers and containers, down 0.5 percent.

In Mexico, Kansas City Southern de México S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) also moved more intermodal traffic but fewer carloads during the week ending May 5. The railroad’s carloads carried totaled 9,756 units, down 14.4 percent, and intermodal volume totaled 4,350 units, up 13.2 percent compared with the same 2006 period.

Through 18 weeks, KCSM’s total carloads carried decreased 5.3 percent to 193,414 units and total intermodal volume rose 11.3 percent to 74,974 units.