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U.S. railroads' traffic continues to rebound this month after a sluggish January. During the week ending Feb. 12, the roads moved 341,577 carloads, up 6 percent, and 221,999 trailers and containers, up 11.6 percent compared with the same 2004 period, according to Association of American Railroads data. Total estimated volume of 31.8 billion ton-miles rose 7.1 percent.

During 2005's first six weeks, the roads moved 1,971,073 carloads and 1,280,285 intermodal loads, a 1.9 percent and 8.5 percent increase, respectively, compared with a similar 2004 period. Estimated volume totaling 182.6 billion ton-miles rose 2.8 percent.

Canadian railroads also are registering robust traffic figures this month. During the week ending Feb. 12, the roads increased carloads 2.6 percent to 67,612 units and intermodal loads, 6.5 percent to 43,472 units compared with the same 2004 week. And through six weeks, Canadian roads moved 383,943 carloads and 242,711 intermodal loads, a 2.7 percent and 2.6 percent increase, respectively, compared with the same 2004 period.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through six weeks, 15 reporting U.S. and Canadian roads moved 2,355,016 carloads, up 2 percent, and 1,522,996 trailers and containers, up 7.5 percent compared with last year.

In Mexico, TFM S.A. de C.V. continues to build traffic. During the week ending Feb. 12, the railroad increased carloads 11.5 percent to 8,714 units and intermodal loads, 14.1 percent to 4,088 units compared with the same 2004 week. Through six weeks, TFM moved 50,744 carloads, up 7.1 percent, and 22,731 trailers and containers, up 22.9 percent compared with last year.