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In November, crosstie production dropped slightly while purchases increased 13 percent compared with October levels, according to the Railway Tie Association’s (RTA) monthly market activity report. Purchases and production each totaled about 1.7 million units.

Tie inventories rose slightly to 16.7 million units and the inventory-to-sales ratio held steady at 0.80 compared with October data.

Through 2006’s first 11 months, tie purchases totaled 19.7 million units and production totaled 20.9 million units.

“Production exceeded last year’s number by over 18 percent, while purchases were up by over 11 percent,” RTA officials said in the report.

Twelve-month rolling totals show purchases totaling 20.8 million units and production totaling 22.5 million units.

“Purchases peaked in September at 21 million ties, dropped in October to 20.7 million and edged up in November,” RTA said. “Production eased off [but] is up 19 percent over the prior year.”