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Not even a national holiday could slow U.S. railroads’ weekly intermodal traffic gains. During the week ending Sept. 9 — which included Labor Day — the roads originated 215,673 trailers and containers, a 5.3 percent increase compared with the same 2005 week that also included the holiday, according to the Association of American Railroads.

However, the railroads’ weekly originated carloads dropped 0.8 percent to 323,043 units.

During 2006’s first 36 weeks, the roads originated 12.1 million carloads, up 1.4 percent, and 8.4 million trailers and containers, up 6.4 percent compared with similar 2005 data. Total estimated volume of 1.2 trillion ton-miles rose 2.7 percent.

Canadian railroads — whose U.S. traffic is impacted by Labor Day — reported 3 percent fewer carloads (72,946 units) but 4 percent more intermodal loads (42,499 units) on a year-over-year basis for the week ending Sept. 9.

Through 36 weeks, Canadian roads originated 2.7 million carloads, down 1.1 percent, and 1.6 million trailers and containers, up 5.9 percent compared with the same 2005 period.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through 36 weeks, 13 reporting U.S. and Canadian railroads originated 14.8 million carloads, up 1 percent, and 10 million intermodal loads, up 6.3 percent compared with similar 2005 data.

Meanwhile, Kansas City Southern de México S.A. de C.V.’s weekly carload volume totaled 12,412 cars, a 6.9 percent increase compared with 2005’s 36th week. Total intermodal volume of 4,967 trailers and containers rose 17.1 percent. Through 36 weeks, the railroad’s total carload volume dropped 4.4 percent to 406,676 units and intermodal volume decreased 4.8 percent to 141,736 units compared with similar 2005 data.