Freight Car Orders Soar: ARCI

Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief
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Newly released data by the Railway Supply Institute (RSI) American Railway Car Institute Committee (ARCI) show a 50% increase in fourth-quarter 2021 freight railcar orders, compared to third-quarter 2021. The backlog increased 14%, while deliveries remained relatively flat.

“Orders in 4Q21 increased ~297% y/y to 13,477 railcars vs. 3,397 cars in 4Q20 and are up ~57% sequentially from 8,607 cars in 3Q21,” notes KeyBanc Capital Markets analyst Steve Barger. “That implies the highest quarterly order number since 4Q18’s 19,955 railcars. The industry delivered 8,161 railcars in the quarter, higher than the 6,216 railcars delivered in 4Q20 and lower than last quarter’s 8,298 figure. The backlog now stands at 42,993 railcars, up from last quarter’s level of 37,779 railcars. Industry book-to-bill came in at 1.65x, higher than last quarter’s figure of 1.04x and above 4Q20’s 0.55x.

Detailed ARCI statistics compiled by RSI using data from North American freight railcar builders are available to subscribers with a full breakdown by car type, including pressure and non-pressure cars, several categories of hopper cars, as well as other car types including boxcars, flat cars, and gondolas. Learn more about accessing ARCI statistics.

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