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Three weeks into 2006, U.S. railroads aren’t showing any signs of a traffic drop-off, despite favorable year-over-year operating conditions. During the week ending Jan. 21, the roads moved 337,746 carloads, up 8.4 percent, and 231,350 intermodal loads, up 11.9 percent compared with the same 2005 week, when traffic was affected by severe winter storms, according to the Association of American Railroads.

During 2006’s first three weeks, the railroads boosted carloads 3.9 percent to 988,376 units and increased intermodal loads 5.9 percent to 663,913 units compared with the same 2005 period. Total estimated volume of 94.4 billion ton-miles rose 5.7 percent.

Canadian railroads capped off a good week, too. During the week ending Jan. 21, the railroads moved 73,677 carloads, up 7.2 percent, and 42,024 trailers and containers, up 12.8 percent compared with the same 2005 week. Through three weeks, Canadian railroads boosted carloads 2.6 percent to 215,904 units and increased intermodal loads 6.6 percent to 123,107 units compared with the same 2005 period.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through three weeks, 13 reporting U.S. and Canadian roads moved 1,204,280 carloads, up 3.7 percent, and 787,020 trailers and containers, up 6 percent compared with 2006’s first three weeks.

In Mexico, Kansas City Southern de México S.A. de C.V.’s weekly traffic took a tumble after a brief one-week gain in 2006. During the week ending Jan. 21, the railroad’s carloads totaling 6,981 units and intermodal loads totaling 3,370 units dropped 18.7 percent and 20 percent, respectively, compared with the same 2005 week. Through three weeks, KCSM’s carloads were down 8.8 percent at 22,408 units and intermodal loads were down 9.9 percent at 9,196 units compared with the same 2005 period.