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U.S. railroads continued to register lower traffic volumes last week. During the period ending June 9, the roads originated carloads totaling 330,767 units decreased 5.6 percent and intermodal loads totaling 238,957 units declined 3.2 percent compared with the same 2006 week, according to Association of American Railroads data.

During 2007’s first 23 weeks, U.S. railroads originated 7.4 million carloads, down 4.4 percent, and 5.2 million trailers and containers, down 1.3 percent compared with last year. Total estimated volume of 754.9 billion ton-miles dropped 3.1 percent.

Canadian railroads posted mixed traffic results last week. During the period ending June 9, their carloads increased 1.6 percent to 77,961 units, but intermodal volume decreased 3.4 percent to 45,650 units compared with the same 2006 week. Through 23 weeks, the railroads originated 1.8 million carloads, down 1 percent, and slightly more than 1 million trailers and containers, up 1.3 percent compared with last year.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through 23 weeks, reporting U.S. and Canadian railroads originated 9.2 million carloads, down 3.8 percent year over year, and 6.3 million trailers and containers, down 0.9 percent.

In Mexico, Kansas City Southern de México S.A. de C.V.’s total weekly carloads dropped 0.8 percent to 11,295 units but total intermodal volume jumped 18.4 percent to 4,878 units compared with the same 2006 week. Through 23 weeks, the railroad’s total carloads decreased 4.6 percent to 249,970 units and intermodal loads rose 11.3 percent to 98,688 units.