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U.S. railroads had an up and down week in the traffic department. During the week ending Nov. 12, the roads’ intermodal loads totaling 248,724 units rose 6.4 percent but carloads totaling 333,758 units dropped 1.3 percent compared with the same week, according to Association of American Railroads data.

During 2005’s first 45 weeks, U.S. railroads moved a little more than 15 million carloads, up 1 percent, and 10.1 million trailers and containers, up 6.3 percent compared with the same 2004 period. Total estimated volume of 1.47 trillion ton-miles rose 2.5 percent.

Canadian railroads had a similar week for the period ending Nov. 12. The roads’ intermodal loads increased 5.5 percent to 45,600 units and carloads dipped 8.2 percent to 74,929 units compared with the same 2004 week.

Through 45 weeks, Canadian railroads moved 3.4 million carloads, down 1 percent, and 1.9 million trailers and containers, up 3.4 percent compared with 2004’s first 45 weeks.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through 45 weeks, reporting U.S. and Canadian railroads moved 18.4 million carloads, up 0.6 percent, and 12.1 million trailers and containers, up 5.8 percent compared with the same 2004 period.

In Mexico, TFM S.A. de C.V. remains in a traffic slump. During the week ending Nov. 12, the railroad’s carloads totaling 8,005 units and intermodal loads totaling 4,263 units dropped 12.1 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively, compared with he same 2004 week. Through 45 weeks, TFM moved 375,598 carloads, down 4.5 percent, and 173,595 trailers and containers, up 2.2 percent compared with the same 2004 period.