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In the third quarter, rail-car deliveries increased 11 percent compared with second-quarter deliveries — the first time since second-quarter 2006 that deliveries did not decline from the previous quarter, according to market analysis and rail industry forecasting firm Rail Theory Forecasts L.L.C.

Deliveries of coal and grain cars surged during the quarter, and the high production rates for those car types are expected to continue until year’s end, the firm said.

“The economic stimulus package passed by Congress in February gave fleet owners a great incentive to acquire rail cars in 2008,” said Rail Theory Forecasts President and Progressive Railroading columnist Toby Kolstad in a prepared statement. “Deliveries that had been forecasted to total only 48,000 rail cars this year might reach as high as 60,000 units as a result of this legislation.”