RTA: Crosstie production, purchases fell in September

In September, crosstie production declined 14.6 percent to 1.7 million units and purchases fell 15.3 percent to 2.1 million units from August levels, according to the Railway Tie Association's (RTA) monthly report.

Compared with year-ago levels, production in September plummeted 25.9 percent, while purchases rose 8.1 percent.

Production during the first nine months of 2017 dropped 22.1 percent to 16.4 million units, while purchases slipped 5.9 percent to 18.4 million units compared with the same period in 2016.

"Purchases are in a downward trend at a 7 percent annual rate," RTA officials said in the report. "Production is also trending lower and is down by a 19.6 percent annual rate."