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U.S. railroads continued to pad their 2004 traffic gains during the week ending Dec. 11. The roads increased carloads and intermodal loads 3.6 percent to 346,363 units and 12.3 percent to 235,625 units, respectively, compared with the same 2003 week, according to the Association of American Railroads.

During 2004's first 49 weeks, U.S. roads moved 16,530,449 carloads, up 2.8 percent compared with the same 2003 period. Total estimated volume of 1.52 trillion ton-miles rose 5 percent.

Canadian railroads padded their year-over-year gains during the week of Dec. 11, too. The roads' carloads totaling 70,656 units and intermodal loads totaling 42,278 units increased 5.2 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively, compared with the same 2003 week.

Through 49 weeks, Canadian roads moved 3,309,490 carloads, up 6.9 percent, and 2,065,739 trailers and containers, up 0.3 percent compared with last year.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through 49 weeks, 15 reporting U.S. and Canadian roads moved 19,839,939 carloads and 12,498,277 intermodal loads, a 3.5 percent and 8.3 percent increase, respectively, compared with a similar 2003 period.

In Mexico, TFM S.A. de C.V.'s weekly traffic figures continue to skyrocket. During the week ending Dec. 11, TFM's carloads rose 18.5 percent to 10,021 units and intermodal loads increased 37.5 percent to 4,514 units compared with the same 2003 week. Through 49 weeks, TFM moved 427,939 carloads, up 3.5 percent, and 186,288 trailers and containers, up 8.6 percent compared with last year.