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Through 2004's first 50 weeks, U.S. railroads already moved more freight than any other year on record, according to the Association of American Railroads. The roads moved an estimated 1.6 trillion ton-miles, a 4.9 percent increase compared with the same 2003 period. Last year, U.S. railroads set the previous full-year record at 1.55 trillion ton-miles.

During the week ending Dec. 18, the roads moved 337,460 carloads, up 1.9 percent, and 228,729 trailers and containers, up 14.2 percent compared with the same 2003 week. Through 50 weeks, the roads' carloads rose 2.8 percent to 16,867,909 units and intermodal loads increased 10.1 percent to 10,661,267 units.

Canadian railroads' weekly traffic totaled 68,496 carloads, up 0.2 percent, and 42,968 trailers and containers, up 4.1 percent compared with the same 2003 week. Through 50 weeks, the roads' carloads totaling 3,377,986 rose 6.8 percent and intermodal loads totaling 2,108,707 increased 0.4 percent.

On a combined cumulative-volume basis through 50 weeks, 15 reporting U.S. and Canadian railroads moved 20,245,895 carloads, up 3.5 percent, and 12,769,974 trailers and containers, up 8.4 percent compared with the same 2003 period.

In Mexico, TFM S.A. de C.V. is ending the year on a high note. During the week ending Dec. 18, the road moved 10,056 carloads, up 20 percent, and 4,729 intermodal loads, up 64.5 percent compared with the same 2003 week. Year-to-date through 50 weeks, TFM increased carloads 3.9 percent to 437,995 units and intermodal loads 9.5 percent to 191,017 units.