RTA report: Crosstie production, purchases were down in November

In November, crosstie production fell 20 percent to 2.1 million units and purchases declined 12 percent to nearly 1.7 million units from October levels, according to the Railway Tie Association (RTA).

However, compared with November 2014 levels, production increased 25.8 percent and purchases decreased 2.3 percent. Production and purchases were both up during the first 11 months of the year: Production soared 31.9 percent to 24.6 million units and purchases rose 4.8 percent to 22.4 million units compared with the same period a year ago.

"A nine-month decline in purchases since August 2014 has changed to an upswing, and purchases are up at a 3.1 percent annual rate," RTA's report stated. "Starting in December 2014, production has been in [a] strong uptrend, and it is up by 31.3 percent from the year-ago level."