RTA report: Crosstie production down, purchases up in February

In February, crosstie production fell 2.7 percent to 2.16 million units, while purchases rose 33.2 percent  to 2.23 million units from January levels, according to the Railway Tie Association (RTA).

Compared with year-ago levels, production is up 15.5 percent and purchases are up 19.7 percent. Production for the first two months of 2016 climbed 13 percent and purchases rose 5.5 percent compared with the same period in 2015, according to the RTA's February market report.



A nine-month decline in purchases since August 2014 has changed to a "moderate upswing," and purchases are up at a 4.5 percent annual rate, RTA reported.



Starting in January 2014, production has been in a strong uptrend, and is up 27.8 percent from the year-ago level, the report stated.