RTA: Crosstie production, purchases down in February

In February, crosstie production fell 5.6 percent to 1.795 million units and purchases slumped 5.3 percent to 1.23 million units from January levels, according to the Railway Tie Association (RTA).

In comparison to year-ago levels, February production plunged 17 percent and purchases plummeted 32.4 percent, according to the RTA report.

Production through February decreased by 15.9 percent to 3.696 million units and purchases dropped 28.4 percent to 2.526 million units compared with the same period in 2016.

Purchases are trending downward at a 5 percent annual rate, while production is trending lower and is down by a 3.5 percent annual rate, according to RTA's report.