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Crosstie production jumped 19 percent in August to 2.5 million units, but purchases plummeted 34 percent to 1.5 million units versus July levels, according to the Railway Tie Association's latest monthly market report. Inventories rose 6 percent in August to 17.9 million ties.

Through the year's first eight months, production (at 17.3 million units) climbed 16.7 percent and purchases (at 16.6 million units) increased 13 percent year over year.

Meanwhile, 12-month rolling data showed production (25.2 million ties) and purchases (23.6 million ties) were growing at annual rates of 15 percent and 14 percent, respectively. The inventory-to-sales ratio rose from July's 0.69 to 0.76, but remained below the 0.79 reading registered through 2011's first eight months.