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Last month, crosstie production increased 8 percent to about 1.8 million, but purchases dropped 3.7 percent to 1.7 million compared with August data, according to the Railway Tie Association's (RTA) September market report. Month-over-month inventories rose by 99,000 ties to 14.3 million.

Tie production and purchases exceeded figures from the past five Septembers by 29 percent and 46 percent, respectively.

"Purchases have been climbing for the past several quarters, overtaking production in the third quarter and breaking the 5 million mark," according to a report summary. "Production has been stable during the year at almost 5 million ties in each of the first three quarters."

During the past 12 months, production has increased more than 12 percent to 19.3 million ties while purchases have risen more than 11 percent to 18 million compared with previous 12-month data. The inventory-to-sales ratio increased 0.1 point to 0.8.