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The weekly traffic news just keeps getting better for U.S. railroads. During the week ending May 22, the roads set a weekly intermodal record by moving 218,206 trailers and containers, according to the Association of American Railroads. The previous record of 213,104 trailers and containers was set during the week ending April 24.

Intermodal volume rose 14.4 percent compared with similar 2003 data, including a 15.9 percent and 14.4 percent rise in trailer and container moves, respectively. Weekly carload moves were robust, as well, increasing 4 percent to 344,091 units compared with the same 2003 period. Estimated total volume of 31.3 billion ton-miles rose 4.3 percent.

During 2004's first 20 weeks, U.S. roads moved 6,687,421 carloads, up 3.4 percent, and 4,056,525 trailers and containers, up 8.2 percent compared with similar 2003 data.

Canadian roads registered weekly traffic gains, too. Carloads totaling 71,262 units rose 18.6 percent and intermodal loads totaling 44,544 units increased 13.5 percent compared with last year's figures. However, the comparative 2003 week included national holiday Victoria Day.

During the year's first 20 weeks, Canadian roads moved 1,360,695 carloads, up 8.1 percent, and 822,758 trailers and containers, up 0.3 percent compared with similar 2003 data.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through 20 weeks, 15 reporting U.S. and Canadian roads moved 7,632,763 carloads, up 4.1 percent, and 4,616,533 trailers and containers, up 6.4 percent compared with last year.

In Mexico, it was another week, another traffic decline for TFM S.A. de C.V. During the week ending May 22, TFM's carloads and intermodal loads dropped 3.7 percent and 32 percent, respectively, compared with similar 2003 data. Through 20 weeks, TFM moved 166,907 carloads, down 4.7 percent, and 63,874 trailers and containers, down 12.2 percent compared with last year.