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For the second-straight month, U.S. railroads’ carloads were below 2004’s pace. In November, the roads’ intermodal traffic increased 4.6 percent to 1.17 million units, but carloads fell 1 percent to 1.64 million units compared with November 2004, according to the Association of American Railroads.

During 2005’s first 11 months, the railroads moved 15.9 million carloads, up 0.8 percent, and 10.8 million intermodal loads, up 6.1 percent compared with the same 2004 period. Total estimated volume of 1.57 trillion ton-miles rose 2.4 percent.

Canadian railroads experienced a similar November. The roads’ intermodal traffic totaling 229,349 units increased 5.7 percent, but carloads totaling 381,756 units decreased 4.5 percent compared with November 2004.

Through 11 months, Canadian railroads moved 3.6 million carloads, down 1.2 percent, and 2.1 million intermodal loads, up 3.5 percent compared with 2004’s first 11 months.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through 11 months, 13 reporting U.S. and Canadian railroads moved 19.6 million carloads, up 0.4 percent, and 12.9 million trailers and containers, up 5.7 percent compared with the same 2004 period.

In Mexico, Kansas City Southern dé Mexico S.A. de C.V. (formerly TFM) continued to struggle in the traffic department. Last month, the railroad’s carloads totaling 37,716 units and intermodal loads totaling 20,008 units dropped 13.2 percent and 2 percent, respectively, compared with November 2004. During 2005’s first 11 months, the road moved 397,957 carloads, down 4.8 percent, and 185,427 intermodal loads, up 2 percent compared with the same 2004 period.