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The fall peak is shaping up to be a good one for U.S. railroads. Last month, the roads originated 1.4 million carloads, up 1.8 percent, and 1 million trailers and containers, up 1.9 percent compared with October 2005 data, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Through 2006’s first 10 months, U.S. railroads boosted originated carloads 1.4 percent to 14.5 million units and increased intermodal loads 5.9 percent to 10.2 million units compared with similar 2005 data. Total estimated volume of 1.44 trillion ton-miles rose 2.7 percent.

“Coal and intermodal continue to post strong volume gains — the top five coal months in history have all occurred since May of this year and the top 10 intermodal weeks have occurred since the end of July,” said AAR Vice President Craig Rockey in a prepared statement.

Canadian railroads moved more intermodal loads but fewer carloads in October. Trailers and containers totaling 194,978 units increased 3.6 percent and originated carloads totaling 302,504 units decreased 3.5 percent compared with October 2005 data. Through 10 months, the railroads’ carloads declined 1.3 percent to 3.2 million units, but intermodal loads rose 5.6 percent to 2 million units.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through 10 months, 13 reporting U.S. and Canadian railroads originated 17.7 million carloads, and 12.1 million trailers and containers, up 5.8 percent compared with similar 2005 data.

Meanwhile, Kansas City Southern de México S.A. de C.V. last month handled a total of 48,432 carloads, up 2.2 percent, and a total of 17,532 intermodal loads, up 5.4 percent compared with October 2005 data. Through 10 months, the railroad’s total carloads decreased 3.5 percent and total intermodal loads dropped 2.7 percent compared with similar 2005 data.