RTA: January crosstie production, purchases fell

In January, crosstie production slipped 1.7 percent to 1.9 million units and purchases fell 5 percent to nearly 1.3 million units from December levels, according to the Railway Tie Association (RTA).

In comparison to year-ago levels, January production tumbled 14.6 percent, while purchases dropped 24.1 percent, RTA reported.

Crosstie purchases are in a moderate downward trend at a 2 percent annual rate, RTA officials said in their annual data analysis. Production also is trending lower, and is down by a 1.1 percent annual rate, they said.