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U.S. railroads continue to haul more freight in the year’s second half. During the week ending July 16, the roads boosted carloads 1.2 percent to 321,887 units and increased intermodal loads 5 percent to 226,580 units compared with the same 2004 week, according to the Association of American Railroads.

During the year’s first 28 weeks, U.S. roads moved 9.3 million carloads, up 1.6 percent, and 6 million trailers and containers, up 6.1 percent compared with the same 2004 period. Total estimated volume of 884.9 billion ton-miles rose 2.4 percent.

Canadian railroads weekly carloads dropped 3.8 percent to 67,806 units and intermodal loads declined 0.9 percent to 42,550 units compared with the same period last year. Through 28 weeks, the roads’ carloads totaling 2.1 million units fell 0.4 percent, but intermodal loads totaling 1.8 million units rose 2.1 percent.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through 28 weeks, U.S. and Canadian railroads moved 11.4 million carloads, up 1.2 percent, and 7.2 million trailers and containers, up 5.4 percent compared with the same 2004 period.

In Mexico, TFM S.A de C.V.’s carloads and intermodal loads dropped 4.9 percent and 9.5 percent, respectively, during the week ending July 16. But through 28 weeks, TFM’s carloads totaling 240,345 units increased 0.6 percent and intermodal loads totaling 106,543 units rose 6.3 percent compared with a similar 2004 period.