RTA: Crosstie production, purchases fell in November

In November, crosstie production dipped 6.8 percent to 1.39 million units and purchases declined 5.4 percent to 1.7 million units from October levels, according to the Railway Tie Association's (RTA) monthly report.

Compared with year-ago levels, production in November dropped 32.5 percent, while purchases slipped 5.4 percent.

Production for the first 11 months of 2017 plunged 23.7 percent to 19.2 million units, while purchases fell 4 percent to 21.9 million units compared with the same period in 2016.

"Purchases are in a downward trend at a 5 percent annual rate," according to the report. "Production is also trending lower and is down by a 20.3 percent annual rate."