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U.S. railroads continued to post traffic gains in 2010’s 10th week, which ended March 13. The railroads originated 287,837 carloads, up 3.2 percent, and 203,626 intermodal loads, up 15.1 percent compared with totals from the same week last year, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR). Total weekly volume rose 4.3 percent to an estimated 31.3 billion ton-miles.

Through 10 weeks, chemical volumes have been stable and remain up 20 percent year over year, while industrial volume has increased 16 percent and metals/minerals traffic has shown improvement, according to Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc.’s weekly “Rail Flash” report. However, petroleum products, paper and lumber volumes “remain at weak levels,” Baird analysts said in the report.

During the week ending March 13, Canadian railroads originated 74,300 carloads, up 24.5 percent, and 43,260 intermodal loads, up 10.9 percent year over year. Mexican railroads’ weekly carloads rose 10.4 percent to 13,524 units and intermodal volume jumped 63.3 percent to 7,655 units.

For more AAR traffic data for the week ending March 13 and through 2010’s first 10 weeks, follow this link.