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During the week ending June 5, U.S. railroads originated 270,251 carloads, up 4 percent compared with volume from the same week last year, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR). However, the week included Memorial Day while the comparable week in 2009 didn’t.

U.S. railroads also reported 191,758 containers and trailers, up 1.6 percent year over year. Intermodal volumes continue to increase sequentially through the second quarter, according to Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc.’s. weekly “Rail Flash” report.

“We expect both domestic and international growth to continue given ongoing domestic truckload conversion and economic growth,” the report states. “Tight truck and intermodal capacity should support intermodal rail rate increases.”

Meanwhile, Canadian railroads reported weekly carload volume of 70,921 units, up 25.5 percent, and intermodal volume of 49,272 units, up 25.4 percent year over year. Mexican railroads increased weekly carload volume 25.3 percent to 14,840 units and boosted intermodal volume a whopping 51.3 percent to 6,702 units.

Through 2010’s first 22 weeks, 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads originated 8.1 million carloads, up 10.1 percent, and 5.7 million containers and trailers, up 11.7 percent compared with volumes from the same 2009 period.

For more AAR data for the week ending June 5 and through 22 weeks, follow this link.