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U.S. railroads’ intermodal traffic rebounded, but carload volume didn’t in week No. 8. During the period ending Feb. 24, the roads’ intermodal loads rose 9 percent to 231,943 units and originated carloads decreased 2.5 percent to 317,848 units compared with the same week in 2006, according to the Association of American Railroads.

Through eight weeks, the railroads originated 2.5 million carloads, down 5.7 percent, and 1.8 million trailers and containers, down 0.1 percent compared with similar 2006 data. Total estimated volume of 253.2 billion ton-miles declined 4.5 percent.

The weekly traffic tally wasn’t good on either count for Canadian railroads. During the period ending Feb. 24 — which included the waning days of UTU-Canada’s strike at CN — carloads fell 7.4 percent to 70,711 units and intermodal loads dropped 3.7 percent to 41,696 units compared with the same week in 2006. Through eight weeks, Canadian roads’ originated 580,831 carloads, down 5.2 percent, and 337,066 intermodal loads, down 0.4 percent.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through eight weeks, reporting U.S. and Canadian railroads’ originated carloads decreased 5.6 percent to 3.1 million units and intermodal loads declined 0.1 percent to 2.1 million units compared with similar 2006 data.

In Mexico, Kansas City Southern de México S. de R.L. de C.V. boosted total carloads 5.4 percent to 11,134 units and increased total intermodal volume 7.6 percent to 4,412 units during the week ending Feb. 24. Through eight weeks, the railroad’s cumulative carload volume decreased 7 percent to 82,249 units but total intermodal volume rose 9.6 percent to 32,442 units compared with similar 2006 data.