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After experiencing a traffic drop for the first time in more than a year last month, U.S. railroads got back on track during February's first week. The roads boosted carloads 9 percent to 335,416 units and increased intermodal loads 9.9 percent to 218,755 units compared with the same 2004 period, according to Association of American Railroads data. Total estimated weekly volume of 31.2 billion ton-miles rose 10.2 percent.

During 2005's first five weeks, U.S. roads moved 1,629,496 carloads, up 1.1 percent, and 1,058,286 trailers and containers, up 7.9 percent compared with a similar 2004 period. Total estimated volume of 150.8 billion ton-miles increased 1.9 percent.

Canadian railroads' traffic figures were strong, too. During the week ending Feb. 5, the roads boosted carloads 13.7 percent to 66,882 units and increased intermodal loads 4.4 percent to 42,397 units compared with the same 2004 week.

Through five weeks, Canadian roads moved 316,331 carloads and 199,239 intermodal loads, a 2.7 percent and 1.8 percent increase, respectively, compared with the same 2004 period.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through five weeks, 15 reporting U.S. and Canadian roads moved 1,945,827 carloads, up 1.4 percent, and 1,257,525 trailers and containers, up 6.9 percent compared with 2004 data.

Meanwhile, TFM S.A. de C.V. continues to move more traffic. During the week ending Feb. 5, the road's carloads totaling 8,852 units and intermodal loads totaling 4,103 units rose 16.6 percent and 27.9 percent, respectively, compared with the same 2004 period. Through five weeks, TFM moved 42,030 carloads, up 6.2 percent, and 18,643 trailers and containers, up 25 percent compared with last year.