Greenbrier added, "The 11,900 railcars under the contract represent about 75% of the company's current new railcar manufacturing backlog."

Last month Lake Oswego, Ore.-based Greenbrier temporarily closed a plant in Mexico, due to the current economic malaise.

Greenbrier says it still is discussing the matter with GE Railcar "for potential modifications" to the existing contract. The current contract calls for delivery of 500 cars to GE Railcar in 2009, with the rest to be delivered in the following seven years.           

"Greenbrier will continue to operate its flagship Gunderson manufacturing facility in Portland, Ore., which has a strong marine backlog and provides design, purchasing, and engineering resources to all Greenbrier plant locations," the company said in a statement.