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It only took a month for U.S. railroads to set another weekly intermodal volume record in 2006. During the week ending Aug. 26, the roads originated 253,981 trailers and containers, breaking the previous record of 250,966 units set the week of July 31 and besting the volume handled during the same 2005 week by 7.1 percent, according to the Association of American Railroads.

Originated carloads increased during 2006’s 34th week, too, rising 0.7 percent to 341,285 units compared with the same 2005 period.

Through the year’s first 34 weeks, U.S. roads originated 11.4 million carloads, up 1.5 percent, and 8 million trailers and containers, up 6.4 percent compared with 2005’s first 34 weeks Total estimated volume of 1.13 trillion ton-miles rose 2.7 percent.

During the week ending Aug. 26, Canadian railroads’ originated carloads declined 3.2 percent to 75,163 units but intermodal volume increased 5.2 percent to 47,785 units compared with similar 2005 data.

Through 34 weeks, the roads originated 2.5 million carloads, down 1.4 percent, and 1.5 million trailers and containers, up 6 percent compared with the same 2005 period.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through 34 weeks, 13 reporting U.S. and Canadian railroads originated 14 million carloads, a 0.9 percent increase, and 9.5 million trailers and containers, a 6.3 percent increase compared with similar 2005 data.

Meanwhile, Kansas City Southern de México S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) handled a total weekly carload volume of 11,516 units, up 3.1 percent compared with data from 2005’s 34th week. However, total weekly intermodal volume of 4,244 trailers and containers decreased 1.6 percent. Though 34 weeks, KCSM’s total carload volume of 383,216 units declined 4.8 percent and total intermodal volume of 132,828 units dropped 5.6 percent compared with similar 2005 data.