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U.S. railroads registered robust February traffic figures, increasing carloads 3 percent (38,149 units) and intermodal loads, 6.6 percent (47,808 units), compared with February 2003, according to Association of American Railroads data released March 4.

The roads moved more carloads of coke (41 percent), crushed stone, sand and gravel (13.9 percent), waste and scrap materials (12.3 percent), grain (7 percent) and coal (2 percent), but fewer carloads of metallic ores (13 percent), and motor vehicles and equipment (1 percent).

During 2004's first two months, U.S. roads increased carloads and intermodal loads 2.7 percent and 6.7 percent, respectively, compared with the same 2003 period. Total estimated volume of 233.6 billion ton-miles rose 4.1 percent.

"Railroads have become much more nimble at adapting to market requirements, and the continued growth of frequent, reliable, speedy, high-service intermodal proves they are accomplishing this objective," said AAR Vice President Craig Rockey in a prepared statement.

Canadian roads February traffic tally is hit and miss: Carloads increased 4.6 percent but intermodal loads dropped 2.2 percent compared with February 2003. Their story's the same during the year's first two months as carloads rose 3.9 percent and intermodal loads declined 2.1 percent compared with a similar 2003 period.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through 2004's first eight weeks, 15 reporting U.S. and Canadian roads moved 3,122,118 carloads, up 2.9 percent, and 1,871,042 trailers and containers, up 4.5 percent compared with the same 2003 period.

Meanwhile, Mexican road TFM S.A. de C.V. still is struggling to increase traffic in 2004. Last month, the road's carloads and intermodal originations dropped 9.3 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively, compared with February 2003. During the year's first two months, TFM's carloads and intermodal loads decreased 9.8 percent and 10.9 percent, respectively.