RTA: Crosstie production, purchases up through April

In April, crosstie production fell 7.6 percent to 2.3 million units, while purchases rose 14.8 percent to 2.498 million units from March levels, according to the Railway Tie Association (RTA).

Compared with year-ago levels, production is up 5.6 percent and purchases are up 9.2 percent.

For the first four months of 2016, production increased 13.5 percent and purchases climbed 6.6 percent compared with the same period in 2015.

Purchases are up at a 7.1 percent annual rate. Starting in January 2014, production has been in a "strong uptrend," according to RTA.