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December carload figures show RailAmerica Inc. capped off a strong traffic-building performance in 2005. Last month, the short-line holding company’s carloads totaled 107,450 units, a 6 percent increase compared with December 2004.

On a “same railroad” basis — excluding carloads associated with railroads or portions of railroads sold or acquired after Jan. 1, 2004 — RailAmerica’s December carloads rose 3.3 percent to 104,024 units. Company officials attribute the carload increase to a rise in metals and bridge traffic.

For the full year, RailAmerica’s carloads totaled 1.3 million units, a 5.4 percent increase compared with 2004. Same railroad carloads totaling 1.2 million units rose 1.9 percent.

RailAmerica owns and operates 46 regionals and short lines in the United States and Canada.