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Led by a 10.3 percent jump in coal traffic, U.S. railroads boosted carloads 4.1 percent to 345,939 units during the week ending June 17 compared with the same 2005 week, according to the Association of American Railroads. Intermodal volume totaling 245,637 trailers and containers increased 8.9 percent.

During 2006’s first 24 weeks, U.S. roads originated 8.1 million carloads, up 1.4 percent, and 5.5 million trailers and containers, up 6.5 percent compared with the same 2005 period. Total estimated volume of 799.5 billion ton-miles rose 2.6 percent.

Canadian railroads’ weekly carloads totaled 74,738 units, a 0.9 percent decline compared with 2005’s 24th week. But intermodal volume totaling 46,666 units rose 10 percent.

Through 24 weeks, Canadian railroads originated 1.8 million carloads, down 2.2 percent, and 1.1 million trailers and containers, up 5.7 percent compared with 2005’s first 24 weeks.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through 24 weeks, 13 reporting U.S. and Canadian roads originated 9.9 million carloads, up 0.7 percent, and 6.6 million trailers and containers, up 6.3 percent compared with the same 2005 period.

In Mexico, Kansas City Southern de México S.A. de C.V.’s total weekly carload volume of 11,947 cars decreased 1 percent compared with the same 2005 week. Intermodal volume totaling 4,813 trailers and containers increased 14.3 percent. Through 24 weeks, the railroad’s total cumulative volume of 274,024 cars declined 5.5 percent and total intermodal volume of 93,455 units dropped 6.6 percent compared with the same 2005 period.