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U.S. railroads ended February with their highest weekly carload volume in more than a year. During the week ending Feb. 27, they originated 290,261 carloads, up 2.6 percent, and 205,817 intermodal loads, up 17.5 percent compared with totals from the same week last year, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR). Total volume rose 3.9 percent to an estimated 31.6 billion ton-miles.

Several U.S. Class Is so far are exceeding projected annual volume growth of between 4 percent and 5 percent, according to Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc.’s latest “Rail Flash” report. Norfolk Southern Railway and Union Pacific Corp. are “positioned” to increase 2010 volumes more than 10 percent, while CSX Transportation is tracking at volume growth of 7 percent, Baird analysts said in the report. BNSF Railway Co.’s volume growth is being hampered by weak coal demand, they said.
 
Meanwhile, Canadian railroads reported weekly volume of 71,378 carloads, up 12.2 percent, and 43,445 containers and trailers, up 11 percent year over year. Mexican railroads reported volume of 14,057 carloads, up 17 percent, and intermodal volume of 6,909 units, up 59.2 percent.

For more AAR traffic data for the week ending Feb. 27 and through 2010’s first eight weeks, follow this link.