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After a slow start to 2006, U.S. and Canadian railroads, and Kansas City Southern de México S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) posted traffic gains during the year’s second week, which ended Jan. 14.

U.S. roads boosted carloads 4.4 percent to 340,539 units and increased intermodal loads 12.3 percent to 239,712 units compared with 2005’s second week, according to the Association of American Railroads.

During the year’s first two weeks, U.S. railroads moved 650,630 carloads, up 1.3 percent, and 432,563 trailers and containers, up 3 percent compared with the same 2005 period. Total estimated volume of 63.3 billion ton-miles rose 3.1 percent.

During week No. 2, Canadian railroads boosted carloads 8.2 percent to 76,670 units and increased intermodal loads 11 percent to 46,028 units compared with 2005’s second week. Through two weeks, the roads’ carloads rose 0.7 percent to 142,227 units and intermodal loads went up 3.7 percent to 81,083 units.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through two weeks, reporting U.S. and Canadian railroads moved 792,857 carloads, up 1.2 percent, and 513,646 trailers and containers, up 3.1 percent compared with the same 2005 period.

In Mexico, KCSM posted its first weekly traffic gains in months. During the week ending Jan. 14, the railroad’s carloads increased 5.2 percent to 8,245 units and intermodal loads rose 5.3 percent to 3,677 units compared with the same 2005 period. Through two weeks, KCSM moved 15,427 carloads, down 3.5 percent, and 5,826 trailers and containers, down 2.8 percent compared with 2005’s first two weeks.